LAWRENCE — As Terrence Samuel has followed Kansas football’s wide receivers during fall camp, he’s seen progress.
Samuel, the Jayhawks’ coach for the position group, allowed that there’s still a long way to go. Two newcomers in redshirt seniors Nahzae Cox (Middle Tennessee transfer) and Nik McMillan (Buffalo transfer) are still learning the offense. But overall, as everyone gains familiarity with how associate head coach Andy Kotelnicki is going to call plays and the aggressive nature of the offense, there’s still progress.
Two returning players who’ve helped with that at wide receiver are redshirt junior Keaton Kubecka and redshirt senior Cam Pickett. Because of where they’re at, Samuel’s felt he’s been able to focus on the newcomers. Although Pickett’s reps are being managed right now, Samuel noted that they’re just easing him into things and that there are no issues.
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Here are some more takeaways from what Pickett had to say:
How Terrence Samuel is developing depth at wide receiver
Kansas’ wide receiver room appears top-heavy this year, but with the way the team practices, the younger players are still gaining experience. What’s important for those younger players is understanding the speed of the game. As much as an 18-year-old freshman might have enjoyed success in the past, Samuel explained, they need to be ready to go up against someone who’s 23 years old.
Sophomore Tate Nagy is one name to keep in mind here, after spending last season as the team’s primary punt returner. Samuel said Nagy has great vision and instincts, but is still working through the process of developing his knowledge of the offense. Nagy stands out when he runs a great route, but still needs to focus on the details.
How Corbin Glasco could have an instant impact
Freshman wide receiver Corbin Glasco is one of the fastest players on the team, Samuel allowed, and that speed can make him a difference-maker. But even Glasco needs to understand the speed of the game and that everyone he’s going to go up against—even in practice—is fast as well. Glasco needs to play at that speed all the time.
As much as Samuel appreciates Glasco’s speed, conditioning is something they’re working on with him. That, as well as generally developing physically and gaining a better understanding of the offense. If it can all come together for Glasco, again, he can make a difference for the Jayhawks.
Where Andy Kotelnicki’s influence shows up
Samuel appreciates everyone who’s called plays offensively during his time at Kansas, but pointed out that Kotelnicki’s personality is infectious and enhances things. There’s a relationship piece, because of how much Kotelnicki is involved in everything, that Samuel thinks the players really benefit from. Kotelnicki both shares wisdom with the players and corrects them when they’re doing something wrong.
Kotelnicki’s offense will benefit from having McMillan, who has a strong frame and is aggressive when it comes to going after the ball. There’s also Kubecka, who’s playing with more confidence this year. With McMillan, Kubecka, Pickett, and Cox, Samuel thinks, for the first time in a while, he has four guys capable of jumping into a bodybuilding contest.
Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He was the 2022 National Sports Media Association’s sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Analyzing Kansas football’s wide receivers room during fall camp