Mike Novitsky, Kansas Football News: Draft Scout Player News

Warning: Undefined array key "TeamID" in D:\InetPub\vhosts\scoutnation.com\draftscout.com\news.php on line 315

Warning: Undefined array key "DSTeamID" in D:\InetPub\vhosts\scoutnation.com\draftscout.com\news.php on line 316

08/04/21 - C Mike Novitsky, rSr/2024, Kansas

Before Novitsky transformed into a first-team All-MAC center at UB, the prep tight end from Victor, N.Y., Leipold said, had no problem being recruited as an O-lineman, even though the coach noted it can even be hard to find high school tight ends who want to play as blockers instead of passing targets. "He's embraced it. He's got a smile on his face each and every day," Leipold said of Novitsky. The veteran center who redshirted with Buffalo in 2018 before taking over the starting center spot, Leipold added, possesses good footwork and studies the game. Those and the aforementioned attributes, according to the coach, give Novitsky the chance to be a "pretty darn good" center for the Jayhawks.

Since officially joining the roster this summer, Novitsky has impressed his new teammates. Veteran receiver Kwamie Lassiter II said Novitsky immediately stepped up and showed that he can and will be a leader for the team. KU's O-line encountered numerous issues in 2020, including a lack of continuity at center, where four different players - Adagio Lopeti, Api Mane, Chris Hughes and Garrett Jones - started at least one time in a nine-game season. Lassiter thinks Novitsky is "really helping that group out" already this summer. "He came from the offense that we're in," Lassiter said of Novitsky's experience not only with Leipold, but also offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki and O-line coach Scott Fuchs. "So I do see improvement on that O-line, and that helps a lot." - Lawrence Journal World

rSr/2024