Baty ready to challenge for spot

Turner Baty has always been told no. He has led his high school team to a state title and named all-state. He led City College of San Francisco this year to a national junior college throwing 42 touchdown passes.

He's done everything a quarterback needs to do to attract the attention of college recruiters.

He has had opportunities but nothing he wanted to pursue. Then the Kansas Jayhawks came calling. After an impressive season Rob Ianello visited Baty in San Francisco two weeks ago. That was followed with a visit from Charlie Weis.

Last weekend Baty took an official visit to Lawrence with his mother, Kathleen. After returning home and thinking about his future he made the call to Weis on Monday evening.

"It's official I'm a Jayhawk," Baty said. "I called coach Weis and we talked. He's a straight-shooter and I told him I was ready to be a Jayhawk. He runs a prolific offense and is a great coach. I told him I was going to get in there and start working hard."

What many Kansas fans will assume is Baty is going to Kansas to play as a back-up. The Jayhawks have highly regarded transfers Dayne Crist and Jake Heaps already on campus. But that isn't the case.

"I have always been told no and that people don't think I can do it," Baty said. "I have been a quarterback on a team that won a state title and a national title. It gives me an edge. I don't care what my stars or rating is. I will go in and work harder than anyone else. That's how I am going to approach it."

This season Baty threw for 42 touchdowns and CCSF was recently named the national junior college champions.

Meeting up with Parmalee

Baty has known Tre Parmalee for a long time. Parmalee, who committed to Kansas in December, drove up to Lawrence to reunite with Baty.

Their fathers, Greg Baty and Bernie Parmalee, played for the Miami Dolphins when they were young.

"My mom (Kathleen) and Tre's mom (Angel) were very close," Baty said. "When Angel found out I was looking at Kansas she got in touch with my mom. It is wild to think but when we were babies we played together at Disney World."

The four got to see each other and catch up during their visit in Lawrence.

Ready to work hard

Not many outwork Baty. He said he will stay in the film room, weight room, and practice field longer than most players. He just wants the chance to prove he can play at the next level.

"People have always doubted me and at the end of the day it has made me who I am," Baty said. "I'm fortunate to get this opportunity and I can't wait until June. I will be working hard and ready to get in there. I believe in coach Weis and what coach (Dave) Campo will build on defense. I'm going to go in and work my butt off."

Baty liked what he saw meeting Kansas strength and conditioning coach Scott Holsopple. He said everything impressed him on the trip including the players.

"What really sold me on the program was meeting the players," he said. "Guys like Brandon Bourbon, Pat Lewandowski, Justin McCay, Trent Smiley, and Tre showed me a lot. Those are the type of guys I want to sweat and bleed with."

On Wednesday Baty will sign his letter of intent. The move to Lawrence will be easier since his uncle lives in Kansas City. If Baty returned to CCSF he would have several college recruiters looking at him next season. He felt the chance at Kansas was too good to pass up.

"You are coming in at ground level and have a chance to be a part of something," Baty said. "Coach Ron Powlus recruited me in high school. The staff had confidence in me. I'm proud to be a Jayhawk and get this opportunity. Coach Weis talked a lot about team chemistry and that leads to winning. I'm going in to compete for the starting job."

Baty will have four years to play three seasons.