Bender will visit Kansas this weekend
A few weeks ago David Beaty confirmed he would take a look around for junior college quarterbacks. It looks like Beaty has found at least one prospect who passes the evaluation test.
This weekend Peyton Bender a quarterback from Itawamba Community College will make an official visit to Lawrence.
Bender and Beaty have been talking and developing a good relationship in recent weeks.
“Coach Beaty is a great guy,” Bender said. “I really didn’t know much about Kansas football until I got in touch with him. He has been really good throughout this process.”
One thing the two have in common is the Air Raid system on offense. Bender was rated the nation’s 25th best quarterback out of high school before signing with Mike Leach and Washington State.
During his redshirt freshman season, he started against Washington going 36-of-58 for 288 yards and a touchdown. Also in 2015 he played the second half in a win against Colorado going 13-of-22 for 133 yards and a touchdown.
He has been paying attention to the Jayhawks and likes the style of offense they use.
“One of the things that jumps out is they like to throw the ball around,” he said. “They are considered an air raid type of offense. They probably run their offense a little different than some other air raids. But as far as what they want to do is chuck the ball around which interests me. I’ve seen a few of their games on TV and I have been able to get an idea what they’re trying to do.”
Bender left Washington this year and out up big numbers for Itawamba throwing for 2733 yards and 21 touchdowns with only four interceptions. Beaty told Bender he liked what he saw on film from him this fall.
“He said he thinks I am a capable person to run the offense they use,” Bender said. “He said he likes how I sit in the pocket and how I dissect the defense in terms of what looks they are giving me, and where to go with the football. He said he likes my release and overall manager of the offense.”
Bender was born in Atlanta and moved to Fort Lauderdale before his freshman season. He played for Cardinal Gibbons High School where he was a three-star recruit and a Top 100 prospect in Florida.
He has already shown what he can do at the division one level in games at Washington State.
“I was fortunate to make an appearance in five games,” Bender said. “Three of those games weren’t really meaningful reps but the games against Colorado in Washington I got to play a decent amount of time. I got a chance to play against division one defenses and get a feel for what it means to be in those type of games. Having those experiences has helped me grow as a player. It has been good that I have been able to experience what it is like to go through the division one process.”