Bradford still molding group of young linebackers

If the Jayhawks could go with pads all of fall camp linebacker coach Todd Bradford wouldn’t argue with anyone. While the linebackers do have the players in place they are still a relatively young group when it comes to playing time.

“When you look at actual game snaps Keith (Loneker) probably has played the most snaps of anybody in the last year,” Bradford said. “That’s why this is such an important time of the year. I wish we could go full pads every day for the next 19 straight days. You can’t do that on them physically and also NCAA rules but that’s what they need. We will have to be creative and really work at ways to get them more reps.”

Joe Dineen will return after an injury in the third week caused him to miss the rest of the season. There is still a lot competition going on for the first and second team snaps. Bradford likes the make-up of the group and is still looking for improvement.

“We have to get them so that they aren’t thinking,” Bradford said. “If you do that guys are going to run by you in the Big 12. We need them to play fast. They are dedicated enough to it that I think it will come as we get closer to the season.”

One of Bradford's goals is to get as many of the linebackers ready to play this season.

"I am optimistic that we have a really good group of guys," he said. "As you know last year we played every guy on the roster. We’re really going to work hard in fall camp to get as many guys ready as we can. We have some really good young talented guys that haven’t had many reps yet and some veterans that have taken a lot of practice reps. They should continue to get better."

Todd Bradford talked about certain linebackers. Go inside to see some of the details Bradford gave us here