If there is one player who is happy to be back on the field as fall camp starts it is Mike Novitsky.

The Jayhawks starting center sat out spring practice to get healthy for the final season of his college career. Novitsky rarely leaves the field but sitting out spring football gave him a different view.

“It was different,” he said. “It was definitely a different perspective. I was able to see different things that you don't see at center, see motions and shifts and just get a different perspective of how the offense is run. So that was beneficial, but it was for sure a different approach.”

Novitsky said sitting out also helped his body heel and allowed him to enter fall camp healthy. The last two seasons he has been a mainstay on the offensive line. He is a preseason All-Big 12 pick heading into this year and was a second team selection last year.

He has played over 1600 snaps his first two seasons at center for the Jayhawks. So, who would be his backup?

“Probably Ford, I think,” he said. “I'm not sure right now. I don't know the depth charts or anything, but he's definitely played a little bit. And we got Puni who has also played a little bit of center. So, we’ve got a couple guys that could probably be in that spot.

“He's (Ford) learning quick. He's getting good with it and he's really smart as a football player too, so that helps at center. And he's just been working with it since spring and I was helping him in the spring, giving him some tips or advice on certain stuff, but he's coming along really well.”

The offensive line lost left tackle Earl Bostick but returns most of their production from 2022. They bring back four starters and that has Novitsky excited to see what they can do.

“I'm really excited for this year's offensive line,” he said “We have great chemistry with one another. We're really close. We're all on the same page with the playbook. We're getting quick with it. And I'm excited. I'm excited with this offensive line for sure.”

Here is more from Novitsky had to say in his fall camp interview:

Talk about the competition at guard:

“I see a bunch of great talent. Kobe, Spencer, Ford, Ar'maj. We're deep and they're all solid. There's really not a big drop-off and everybody's on point with their stuff and combinations and looking at techniques in certain place, how we're going to attack it. I like where we're at with all the guards.”

What he sees from defensive tackle Devin Phillips:

“He's special. He's got great off the ball, twitchy. He's got some power too. I'm really excited to keep going against him for the camp. I can't wait for tomorrow and just keep going after him. He's good, he's a great competitor and it's just good stuff.”

New additions to the offensive line in the offseason:

“Logan and Spencer, they're all coming along really well. We're all looking really good. I'm actually really interested to watch the film, see how we're moving and go from there today. But they've been able to pick up the plays and they're quick on their feet, so they're getting the technique right.”

Any young players standing out:

“I like Calvin Clements. The way that he's been able to come on, was it eight months ago now, and how many steps he's taken, and he's got great size. He's good up top with his mental side, so I think he's got some big strides coming.”