Baldwin will arrive in Lawrence soon

The next stop for Charles Baldwin is Lawrence, Kansas.

Baldwin is taking an interesting path to be a Jayhawk. About a year ago at this time he was rated the nation’s top junior college offensive lineman. He picked up offers from Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi State, Michigan State, South Carolina, and Virginia Tech.

Last summer he gave a verbal commitment to Alabama and was one of two, five-star offensive lineman to sign with the Crimson Tide. He enrolled in January and went through spring football. After working with the second team he was dismissed for a violation of team rules.

Kansas head coach David Beaty went through the evaluation process and did homework on Baldwin. They told Baldwin he would have a scholarship at Kansas.

“First off I would say I am very thankful for coach Beaty giving me a second chance and an opportunity to play the game that I love,” Baldwin said while laying over in Chicago. “I feel real comfortable with him and think he can make me be the best player that I can be. And I felt the same way about coach Yenser. He will push me to get my best potential out.”

At 6-foot-5, 305 pounds he caught the attention of coaches across the country. The Kansas coaches saw enough to want him in their program.

“They said they like the way that I move and I’m aggressive off the ball,” Baldwin said.

Baldwin is looking at this as a new start and wants to help the Jayhawks get the program going in the right direction.

“I’m going in with a chip on my shoulder and I know this is my last shot,” he said. “I’m just grateful for the opportunity they are giving me. I plan on holding up my part of the bargain and helping them win some football games.”