Big week ahead for OL to win a spot

The offensive line is coming off their biggest scrimmage of fall camp and three players graded out at 80 percent or better.

D’Andre Banks moving to left tackle finished his day with an 85 from offensive line coach Zach Yenser. True freshman Hakeen Adeniji was at 84 percent followed by Jayson Rhodes at 80.

“The way we grade our offensive line is if you grade over a 75 we feel it was good enough to win,” Yenser said. “Four of the five graded out above 75. Then again, that was one scrimmage. Can we go back and do it again?”

Yenser made it clear the next five practices will dictate who gets in the line-up for the opener against Rhode Island.

“We’re getting to that point in camp where you can either do it or you can’t,” he said. “By the end of this week or the scrimmage on Saturday, barring injuries, you are finding the guys lining up for Rhode Island. There are about seven guys competing for those five spots.”

Yenser said Joe Gibson and Mesa Ribordy have been competing every day at center. If Ribordy gets beat out at center he could find a home at guard. Yenser will make a change regardless what position a player is listed on the roster.

“I’m trying to find the best combination of guys,” Yenser said. “Our backup center might play guard. If something happens to center he will bump over and someone will go to guard. If my backup center is my best offensive guard then he’s going to play.

“There is just great competition and those guys can feel it. They know they have to bring their ‘A’ game every time they step foot on that field. The greatest thing about their room is the competition. I don’t give a crap if you started 12 games last year. If you get beat out, you get beat out.”

Monday was the first practice for Alabama transfer Charles Baldwin. The former five-star recruit was dismissed from Alabama in May and had several options for his next home. Baldwin told Jayhawk Slant he visited Louisville and Temple with interest from Cal, Michigan State, Oklahoma, and Colorado.

Baldwin got his introduction on Sunday meeting players and coaches. He went through his first practice on Monday.

“He has been awesome for our guys just being here yesterday and today,” Yenser said. “The best thing for my room is it adds competition. I’m excited about him. I think he has a very, very, very high upside. Just from being around him the last couple days in talking to him on the phone, and all the research that we did on him, he is a good dude.”