Renovation

too. Taking advantage of these spring practices and the months to follow will be critical.

Jeff Grimes praises how he’s been received as a new staff member

With Andy Kotelnicki’s departure to Penn State last year, came an opening for Kansas at offensive coordinator. Leipold turned to Jeff Grimes, who recently coached at Baylor. And so, this represents Grimes’ first spring ball with the Jayhawks.

Grimes said the reception has been awesome from day one. He said everyone, players and staff, have been open with him. He mused that the seamless transition has come, in part, because of the familiarity he had with Leipold.

Jim Zebrowski speaks to his own relationship with Jeff Grimes, and the quarterbacks’

Jim Zebrowski is also now a co-offensive coordinator, but since he followed Leipold here from Buffalo before the 2021 season he’s worked with Kansas’ quarterbacks. Zebrowski said the quarterbacks have done well adjusting to a new offensive coordinator. He added Grimes has expressed trust in him, in how they should think about what the quarterbacks do moving forward.

Zebrowski added it’s been awesome to work with Grimes. From Zebrowski’s perspective, the arrival of a new coach comes with anticipation of that individual adding something to the program. It’s clear that the experience Grimes has had at Baylor, BYU and elsewhere has been evident to Zebrowski.

Coordinator Brian Borland shares how the spring will progress for the defense

When Brian Borland spoke early during spring ball, the defensive coordinator said at that moment it’s about playing hard, fast and physical with good fundamentals every play. But, eventually, they’ll get more into schematics as they look to improve on how they play during third down and red zone situations. It’ll all play a role in the evaluation of the roster, as he knows Kansas will need some guys to step up.

Jereme Robinson’s limitations during spring ball provide other players an opportunity

Borland mentioned senior defensive end Jereme Robinson is “totally limited” and “really not doing anything,” and acknowledged that’s not a good thing. But,

Borland added, Robinson is also someone who’s played a lot during his career. That lessens the need for Robinson to do a lot during spring ball, and also opens an opportunity to the other defensive ends on the roster for more reps.

Borland highlighted redshirt senior defensive end Dylan Wudke as someone whose showcased physicality in their early practices. Redshirt junior defensive end Dean Miller is among those who’ve showcased aggressiveness and speed. It’s a position group Borland noted will sort itself out in time.

Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka CapitalJournal. He is the National Sports Media Association’s sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas for 2022. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.