Published Jan 31, 2022
KU continues local success with Kenrick Osei-Bonsu, Cole Rhoden
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Jon Kirby  ā€¢  JayhawkSlant
Publisher- Football Editor
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@jayhawkslant

The KU football staff has said from the day they arrived; the goal was to recruit players from the surrounding area. That meant building the program in different ways including the walk on program.

They have lived up to their expectations and have been adding quality players being recruited by other Power Five programs. In the last few days, they have picked up commitment from players on both sides of the state line.

This morning they landed Kenrick Osei-Bonsu and last week Cole Rhoden.

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Osei-Bonsu played at Olathe North and was receiving interest from the area colleges. The Jayhawks used a group recruiting effort to secure his commitment.

ā€œDefinitely Coach Peterson and me had a good connection,ā€ he said. ā€œWhen he texted me, we instantly connected and talked well. He liked me, and I liked his coaching style. And that's definitely one thing. Coach Schoonover was also involved in there. I talked to him through this.

ā€œI also talked to Coach Borland who gave me a good talk, came up to my school, and visited me too. They all definitely showed a lot of love towards me and a lot more love than the other colleges did.ā€

He took visits to Kansas, Kansas State, and Missouri. At 6-foot-3, 185 pounds he has the size to play in the defensive backfield and that attracted the attention from the Kansas coaches.

ā€œThey want me to play corner,ā€ Onsei-Bonsu said. ā€œThey said that I'd probably get an advantage at corner for sure, with my kind of wingspan and height.

ā€œThey said they liked my footwork, and that I was aggressive. Speed wise, I'm good too. I can point the ball up easily now, kind of get up and go get the ball instead of just sitting there on my end. And I'm an attacking kind of guy, so they like that about me a lot too.ā€

Onsei-Bonsu said he wants to be a part of the building process with KU and has noticed they are going after a lot of local players.

ā€œYeah, that's kind of their plan right now, trying to rebuild with local players,ā€ he said. ā€œAnd I'd say that's kind of working pretty well, with the chemistry around here, with us Kansas players, we could easily build up something great in Kansas.

ā€œAnd just to feel that family atmosphere was definitely a thing of beauty at least. And I just wanted to be a part of that, become a Jayhawk, and change what the program is now to what it should be.ā€

Rhoden is an interesting prospect from Platte County. It is not often you find a player who gets on the college radar as a wide receiver and a kicker. But Rhoden can do a little bit of everything.

He was named first team, all league as a punter and kicker. He also piled up some big yards at receiver so he can be versatile to a college program.

So, what position does he prefer?

ā€œKU is recruiting me for both, I will play wherever they need me first,ā€ he said. ā€œThey feel like I am a very good all-around athlete, who is fast and elusive all around and makes plays. I can also be very helpful with special teams.ā€

When Rhoden went on his visit to Kansas, he talked to the staff about playing both positions.

ā€œMy visit to KU was a great one,ā€ he said. ā€œI really enjoy the coaching staff a lot. The facilities were top notch. I like the nutrition plans they will have the football players. I met with Coach Schoonover and with Coach Leipold a couple of times. Coach Samuel and I had a great meeting on the visit canā€™t wait to get to work with him.ā€

Rhoden was getting attention from Kansas, Kansas State, Wisconsin, Houston, and several division two programs.

He was happy when it came time to choosing a school and he is ready to get join the team this summer.

ā€œIt feels great to finally commit and it feels good to have my life kind of planned out,ā€ Rhoden said. ā€œIā€™m excited to work with this program. They are great coaches and people.ā€