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Tabor saw what he needed on visit, picks the Jayahwks

Shortly before Kenyon Tabor announced his college decision on Twitter he reached out to the Kansas coaching staff. He was giving them the news first-hand that he was going to commit to the Jayhawks.

Tabor dialed Kenny Perry, who was the lead recruiter, to tell him about his decision.

“I called and I told him (Perry) what I was going to do,” Tabor said. “He said he did not hear me and put me on speakerphone and had me repeat it. Then I heard a lot of claps and cheering. They were in a coaches meeting so everyone heard it. I had a chance to talk to coach Beaty and he was excited and told me congratulations.”

Tabor narrowed his choice down to Kansas and Kansas State. He took a visit to Lawrence on Friday with mother, Deb.

“She had a great time on the visit and likes the coaching staff,” Tabor said. “When it came to making my decision she was unbiased. She wanted me at a school I felt comfortable.”

Looking back: Tabor after his visit to Kansas

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Tabor, a 6-foot-4, 215 pound tight end/wide receiver liked how he could fit into the Kansas offense. Kansas runs a spread system where the tight end is usually in a flex position off the line of scrimmage. It could be labeled a tight end or big wide receiver position.

“KU would play me more as a big wide receiver,” Tabor said. “What I weigh wouldn’t be that big of a factor. At Kansas State it would be more of a true tight end and a lot of time with my hand on the ground. I don’t have any problem playing that way. I think at KU there is more of a chance of playing early because my weight won’t matter as much.”

After returning from his Kansas visit on Friday, Tabor used a few days to think about his future. Although he announced for the Jayhawks earlier today he already had his mind made up.

“I made the decision yesterday,” Tabor said. “After I came back from my visit I just weighed the pros and cons.”

Perry, who took over the Derby recruiting area, built a relationship with Tabor. Last Friday he got a chance to spend time with the Kansas coaches and see some of the projects they are building.

“He’s a great guy,” Tabor said of Perry. “He always kept it real and was a fun person. They told me about the new stuff they’re building but you really don’t get a picture of it until you are there. What they’re building stood out to me.”

Tabor admitted he was nervous before and after he announced his decision. With recruiting behind him he can start camp in a couple weeks and focus on helping Derby compete for another state title.

“I never saw it (recruiting) as much stress,” he said. “But it will definitely be a weight off my shoulders and less distraction.”

Tabor was in Lawrence Friday the Friday Night Lights camp
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