Spring Game: Changes at running back
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From the sounds of it Angus Quigley may see his time at receiver once practice resumes in the Fall. Last year Quigley suffered a rare injury to the upper area of his leg and is getting back to full strength.
But the next time Jayhawk fans get a chance to see him during Fall practice it will likely be in the slot where he practiced during the last open practice and during the spring game.
"We've been working Angus outside we liked the development of our wide receiver group," said Kansas coach Mark Mangino. "But we're not sure about the depth of it. Angus is a big, strong, fast guy with good range and good hands. We've worked him for a couple weeks at the wide receiver spot and I think that's the way it is going to play out. He can do it."
Quigley made it back through spring practice after recovering from his injury. But he missed the beginning of spring drills which was a key time in learning the system.
"He missed the first six or seven practices (this spring) of offensive installation," Mangino said. "So he's playing catch-up and he'll be okay in the fall. He's pretty close to 100 per cent."
Most likely Jake Sharp and Brandon McAnderson will carry the load and are very different in their styles. McAnderson who has seen most of his time as a fullback has the skills to get carries in a one-back set.
"Brandon McAnderson did what he does best," Mangino said. "He gets his pads down and he gets tough yardage. He can also make people miss. You'll see time and time again people missing him. Like I say all the time about Brandon McAnderson, he knows how to play the game. He's a smart guy, a tough guy, and has good football aptitude."
Sharp is a quick-cutting, speed back who can break big runs. Just two years ago he was the top rated high school prospect in Kansas at Salina Central. He showed he was durable in his high school days, but was fighting a nagging injury in the spring game today.
"Jake Sharp was playing today only because he wanted to," Mangino said. "Jake should probably not be playing. We have practiced him in a limited fashion the last week-and-a-half. He's got one of those injuries we can live with in the spring. He's going to get a week or two rest and he'll be fine. He's so tough it is tough to get him off the field."
You can bet Mangino will find a way to get the ball in both of their hands, although they have different ways to get their yards.
"They're two different kind of players and we'll utilize their talents," Mangino said.