Trevor Kent likes Kansas staff, attitude coaches display
Pittsburg defensive end Trevor Kent was one of a number of prospects to visit Kansas on Saturday as part of the Jayhawks first Junior Day of 2017. With 12 division one offers to his credit, the 6-foot-4, 252-pounder is the most sought-after recruit in the Sunflower State. After getting his first look at KU, Kent gave the program high marks.
“I really enjoyed it,” Kent said of his visit. “I loved the staff, and what they are trying to do for the program. I really saw eye-to-eye with them. I really liked the attitude, and plans they have for turning the program around. KU Football really surprised me today.”
The All-State and All-Southeast Kansas League honoree spent time with head coach David Beaty and defensive coordinator Clint Bowen throughout the afternoon. Both left an impression on Kent.
“Coach Bowen kept me company throughout the day,” he said of the longtime Kansas assistant. “And our groups took turns going and talking to Coach Beaty for thirty minutes or so each. They are great guys, very down to earth, and very driven. They tell it to you straight, and I like that a lot.”
Beaty and his staff talked with the visiting prospects about the renovations planned for the Anderson Family Football Complex and Memorial Stadium. Though Kent was complimentary about the current state of the Jayhawks facilities, he was excited about what’s to come.
“Everywhere at the D-1 level has nice facilities, and it was no different at KU. It will be interesting to see what they do with all the new construction and remodeling. Building new everything that has to do with the players; locker room, weight room, indoor practice facility, team room, training table, dorms. Then tearing down and rebuilding the stadium piece by piece. They have some exciting stuff coming their way.”
While Kent is ranked the No. 17 strongside DE in the class of 2017, several programs have expressed interest in playing him on the other side of the ball. A rangy tight end with good speed, the Jayhawks presented him with a unique opportunity, should he choose to play on Mount Oread.
“They said they like me at both, and have been arguing over it,” Kent said of the staff’s plans for him. “They haven't decided yet, so they offered as an athlete, and said I could possibly play both if that's something I was interested in.”
“It's an honor that they think of me so highly,” he continued about the Jayhawks. “I think it would be nice to go somewhere I could pick what side of the ball I wanted to play.”
Kent wouldn’t be the first Pittsburg product to play multiple positions at KU. After a stellar high school career, Kerry Meier was a starter at both quarterback and wide receiver for the Jayhawks. The talented DE said he had thought about being the next Purple Dragon to catch a pass in Memorial Stadium.
“It’s crossed my mind, for sure,” Kent said of following in Meier’s footsteps. “I haven't met him personally, but he and the rest of his family have a huge impact in our school and football program. He still comes out and checks on us during the season, and calls for updates from our coaches.”
With offers from the likes of Michigan, Nebraska, and Oklahoma already in-hand, Kent’s momentum on the recruiting trail is likely to continue. But his Junior Day experience at Kansas shook up the process, as he admitted the Jayhawks had jumped in the ranks.
“Definitely,” Kent said when asked if Saturday’s visit pushed KU up his list. “I will probably visit for spring ball, since the drive isn't bad. I would really like to talk to the coaches more, and start to build a relationship. I'd like to meet the different position coaches (receivers coach Jason Phillips and defensive line coach Michael Slater), and see if maybe I bond better with one or the other.”