LAWRENCE — The call came from a friend of the program, an alum trying to help a new coach out.
Just after David Beaty was hired as Kansas football coach in December, former player Patrick Resby called him to let him know about Ke’aun Kinner — a running back who played for him as an assistant at Navarro College in Corsicana, Texas.
“It never hurts to have buddies,” Beaty said. “They give you calls, and sometimes it works out.”
This still seemed like a long shot. Kinner, who was heading on an official visit to Iowa, had just been named junior college offensive player of the year.