Here are 3 Kansas football position battles that appear ongoing with season opener Friday

LAWRENCE — There’s been news swirling around the Kansas football program ahead of its season opener Friday at home against Tennessee Tech.

The Jayhawks announced a home-and-home series with Nevada that will see Kansas play the Wolf Pack on the road on Sept. 16, 2023, and at home on Sept. 15, 2029. This’ll be the first time the two programs have faced off.

Jayhawks head coach Lance Leipold revealed a transfer offensive lineman from Louisville named Kobe Baynes will be eligible to play in games this fall. Although Baynes’ recent arrival may limit his effect on the roster early, he does provide depth as someone who can play guard and tackle and has spent multiple years in a college system.

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But most of the focus has been on the season opener that’s scheduled to kick off at 7 p.m. Leipold, offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki and defensive coordinator Brian Borland all spoke to the excitement around the team. And the release of Kansas’ first depth chart of the fall certainly added to the conversation.

Here’s a look at three position battles that may continue through the opener:

Running back — Devin Neal, Daniel Hishaw Jr., Ky Thomas and Sevion Morrison

Kansas has seemed to be on track to use multiple running backs to produce for months, and in listing sophomore Devin Neal and redshirt sophomores Daniel Hishaw Jr., Ky Thomas and Sevion Morrison as “OR” starters looked even more so in line to do that. Kotelnicki wouldn’t get too specific on how. But he reiterated they will try to get their best guys on the field.

Neal by far and away led the Jayhawks in rushing last season with 707 yards, eight touchdowns and 4.5 yards per carry, while Hishaw missed it all due to injury. Thomas was the lead back at Minnesota, where he had 824 yards and six touchdowns while averaging five yards per carry, before he transferred in. Morrison had limited opportunities at Nebraska, where he was before he transferred in.

Neal and Thomas, two Kansas natives from Lawrence and Topeka, respectively, could end up as the feature backs over time. Maybe Hishaw and Morrison carve out their own roles. But as a local team, Kotelnicki acknowledged what it might mean to fans to have Neal and Thomas back there.

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“I think they should be really excited,” Kotelnicki said. “I know Lance had probably talked about it when Ky came here, about having those two individuals from the state and having recognizable names in the backfield. I mean, it’s a big deal. I think it’s kind of the thing that the population of Kansas can rally behind and get excited. Because that’s where we’re trying to go as a program, to be that institution.”

Wide receiver — Quentin Skinner, Kevin Terry, Douglas Emilien and more

At wide receiver, junior Luke Grimm (SLOT), redshirt sophomore Lawrence Arnold (X) and redshirt sophomore Quentin Skinner (Z) were listed as the three starters for the position without any “OR” listed.

However, with the indefinite suspension of redshirt junior Trevor Wilson and one-game suspension of redshirt freshman Tanaka Scott, there is the future to consider. Because of how fresh those suspensions still are, one might expect there to be movement as time passes.

Kotelnicki noted that with Scott, who did return to practice, and Wilson missing time other players are excited to get more reps. Kotelnicki mentioned redshirt junior Kevin Terry, redshirt sophomore transfer Douglas Emilien (Minnesota) and Skinner have all been getting more reps.

And Emilien (SLOT) and Terry (X) were listed as two of the backups in addition to junior Steven McBride (Z).

“(Skinner) brings a linear, vertical threat,” said Kotelnicki, who added they’re cross-training Skinner at multiple spots. “He’s a long, big body, right? And he’s — I call him a grass chewer, because when he takes steps now it’s like … a damn giraffe … running. He just takes two steps and it’s like six yards. And so, he can go and he’ll be able to take a top off. He’s done a really good job though fall camp of making some contested catches.”

With Wilson unavailable after a season in which he caught 27 balls for 364 yards and one touchdown, Arnold and Grimm become the clear leading returners in production. Arnold caught 27 passes for 316 yards and three touchdowns. Grimm caught 22 passes for 349 yards and three touchdowns.

Regardless of who starts across the three positions, Kansas appears to be in a position where it’ll look for production at wide receiver by committee. Kwamie Lassiter II has embarked on his professional career. Last season Lassiter caught 59 balls for 653 yards and three touchdowns.

Kotelnicki and Leipold both expressed confidence in the group as a whole.

Safety — Marvin Grant and O.J. Burroughs

Senior safety Kenny Logan Jr. captured one of the starting safety spots for the Jayhawks, but on the other side it looks like that one is still up for grabs. Sophomore returner O.J. Burroughs and redshirt junior transfer Marvin Grant (Purdue) were listed with an “OR” on the depth chart.

Speaking generally, Borland noted some highly anticipated transfers are backups or in an “OR” situation speaks to how transfers are still learning the system and returners have been doing well.

Specifically to Grant and Burroughs, Borland added that they are complementing each other well right now. Borland, who thinks Burroughs hasn’t conceded anything, sees strengths from both that the team can use. Burroughs has improved with his weight, strength and communication, while Grant has picked up a lot in a short period of time.

“We’ll see on Friday night,” said Borland, who noted Grant has missed some time due to being sick. “Kind of got a plan and going to use them both. And, obviously, Kenny’s in that. There’s guys in that mix. And we’ll kind of move guys in and out of there a little bit and, again, we try to find the best combinations of, according to the situation, maybe the best combination of guys to play.”

Burroughs played in all 12 games for Kansas last season and finished with 26 tackles and an interception. Grant started in all of Purdue’s 13 games and finished with 75 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss.

Leipold has been consistent about the importance of a culture of competition within the program.

Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Here are 3 Kansas position battles ahead of 2022 season opener