Jayhawks land in-state OL Gilbertson

The Kansas coaches zeroed in on Joey Gilbertson early. They were the first to offer a scholarship to the offensive lineman from Wichita Northwest and stayed with him through the early summer months.

On Monday morning Gilbertson called Zach Yenser, Kenny Perry, and David Beaty to tell them he was ready to give them a verbal commitment.

Gilbertson attended the Jayhawks Friday Night Lights camp in Lawrence and that helped him pick Kansas. It also gave him a chance to work with offensive line coach Zach Yenser.

“I got a good feel for the program when I went to Friday Night Lights,” Gilbertson said. “Coach Yenser gave me a tour of everything and I really liked the KU program. Being able to work out with him was a big difference in my decision. I learned more about his teaching method and he is a high energy coach. I like that.”

Kansas assistant and recruiting coordinator Kenny Perry took over the Wichita area this year. He made a stop into Wichita Northwest during the spring evaluation period. Shortly after that the Jayhawks offered him a scholarship.

“He came in early and recruited me,” Gilbertson said of Perry. “He said he liked my size. He got me on to KU and he’s the one who got me to look at them early.”

Gilbertson, 6-foot-3, 280 pounds was an All-Metro selection last year at Northwest. His physical style of play caught the attention of the coaches.

“He (Yenser) always tells me I am a defensive lineman playing offensive line,” Gilbertson said. “He said he likes how I fire off the ball and hit people. He loves my physicality.”

Gilbertson’s parents attended the Friday Night Lights camp. They encouraged him to be a Jayhaws after meeting the coaches and getting a tour.

“When they went to Friday Night Lights they loved it,” Gilbertson said. “They were pushing me to commit. They love the campus and the coaches. I just wanted to make sure that committing to Kansas was the right thing to do.”

The Kansas coaches have been recruiting the state consistently since David Beaty arrived. They have offered several recruits and Gilbertson is the second known in-state player to pick Kansas this year.

“I hope that opens doors to KU,” Gilbertson said. “I hope recruits realize it’s not about winning now but also winning later.”

Gilbertson stands as the Jayhawks lone offensive lineman on the current commitment list. With his decision out of the way he wants to focus on his senior season.

“It was a no brainer for me to commit,” he said. “It’s a big lift off my shoulders. Now I can just focus on getting better and help my team try to win a state championship.”