Kansas football head coach Turner Gill named sophomore Jordan Webb as the starting quarterback here Friday afternoon. Webb, who was in a battle for the top spot with senior Quinn Mecham, was the Jayhawks’ starting signal caller in seven games as a redshirt freshman.
“After evaluating our quarterback position with (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach) Chuck (Long), we decided at this time to announce that Jordan Webb will be our starter at that position,” said Gill, who is entering his second season at the helm of the KU program. “Jordan has shown great leadership and consistency all throughout Fall Camp. His improved quarterbacking skills put him in the position to lead our team.”
Webb earned his first career start in the second game of the 2010 season and led the Jayhawks to a win over No. 15 Georgia Tech as he was 18-of-29 for 179 yards and three TDs. He went on to start the next five games on the season before being injured in the Texas A&M game and missing three contests. Webb came off the bench against Oklahoma State and then returned to the starting lineup in the season finale against Missouri.
The Union, Mo., native, was 121-of-214 for 1,195 yards and seven TDs on the season. His 1,195 passing yards were the second most by a freshman in KU history. Webb’s best passing game of the season came in a win over New Mexico State as he threw for 249 yards. He also threw for over 200 yards as he had 228 yards passing versus Kansas State.
Additionally, Gill announced that Longview, Texas, native Brandon Olson has joined the Kansas football program. Olson, a 6-foot-4 tight end, arrives at KU from Longview High School where he helped lead the Lobos to an appearance in the 2010 Texas Class 5A State semifinals and the finals in both 2008 and 2009. He will count as a member of the 2011 recruiting class.
Gill and the KU football team have several events lined up in the coming days. The sixth annual KU KickOff At Corinth Square in Prairie Village on Friday will get things started and will be followed by Saturday’s Family Fun Fest, which will be held at Memorial Stadium.
Kansas Athletics and the KU Alumni Association will join forces to host the KU KickOff at Corinth Square, now an end-of-summer tradition. Starting at 6 p.m., Kansas football head coach Turner Gill, men’s basketball coach Bill Self, Athletics Director Sheahon Zenger and Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little will each address the crowd in Prairie Village, while inflatable games, multiple vendors and various KU giveaways will be also be available.
Live music will be provided by the KC All Stars from 8-10 p.m. Additionally card-carrying members of the KU Alumni Association or the KU Medical Center Alumni Association in attendance will receive a number of deals, including a $5 coupon to Johnny’s Tavern and a $5 coupon to BRGR Kitchen + Bar.
The event will be held in the Corinth Square parking lot which is located at 83rd & Mission Road in Prairie Village, Kan.
Family Fun Fest will begin at 9:30 a.m., Saturday morning with the Fun Zone opening on the practice fields adjacent to Memorial Stadium. The Gates to Memorial Stadium will open at 11 a.m., with KU holding an open scrimmage for fans to attend at 11:30 a.m.
All fans in attendance will receive a free Jayhawk license plate. In addition, the first 500 fans in attendance will receive a free hot dog and popcorn.
Following KU’s scrimmage, players and coaches will sign autographs on Kivisto Field inside Memorial Stadium. Fans should note video cameras will be prohibited from being taken into Memorial Stadium for Saturday’s open scrimmage.
— KU Sports Information —