KU Football: Aqib Talib continues to be a reminder of past success
By trevb
At one point in 2007, the sun shone all along Mount Oread and Memorial Stadium. The crowd would roar as the KU football team embarked on a possible undefeated season.
Yes, in these times, Mark Mangino was the head coach, Todd Reesing was the best quarterback KU football had ever seen, and Aqib Talib was a defensive monster. This KU football team was a complete success, which today is a foreign concept. While the football team as a whole was very talented, Talib seemed to get the better result career wise in football.
Right now, Mangino has not held a true coaching position since being the Jayhawks head coach, Todd Reesing is somewhere having a nice settled life with his family, and the great cornerback out of Lawrence continues to impress. Today, Kansas football is nowhere near where it once was. Even though David Beat seems like the right fit, he has a long way to go.
Whether positive or negative, Talib is a huge icon of success for the KU football program. He is an example that talent can truly come from Lawrence and reinforces the hope (and maybe the awe) of what great Jayhawks are like. Talib has taken what he learned from Lawrence and Mangino to the professional level and run with it.
.@AqibTalib21 is 1 of 3 cornerbacks to make the Pro Bowl in each of the last 4 seasons#NFLTop100 pic.twitter.com/oF3UubFnwZ
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) June 6, 2017
https://twitter.com/KU_Football/status/871906575484686336
It is hard to think that Talib is the kind of franchise player or league player he is today, but he continues to use his field performance to the best of his ability. His most recent season in Denver saw him recording three interceptions for 86 yards, one touchdown, 32 tackles, and 11 assisted tackles.
It just goes to show you the stark comparison Talib has to any other Jayhawk player and the quality of his play. Talib has been to four Pro Bowls, one All-Pro selection, and won the Super Bowl with the Broncos in the 2015 season. Aqib Talib continues to be a shining example for the players in Lawrence and a shining talent in the NFL.
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Who resembles Aqib Talib the most?
Talib will never lose his title as an all-time great for the Kansas Jayhawks, but he may have a similarity to his play in new safety Mike Lee. Mike Lee is an explosive and young talent for the Jayhawks on defense. While Lee usually seems to be the small player on the field he contradicts that with big hit tackles and highlight reel plays.
Mike Lee is a young prospect that could be the next big thing for the Jayhawks on defense. The kid is smart, agile, and packs a punch when needed to drop top ten plays. With the defense being the rising power on the KU team, Mike Lee just adds to an already powerful piece to winning more games.
Aqib Talib continues to be a reminder of what KU football once was. Comparisons can be drawn from David Beaty and the rest of the staff to show the Jayhawk players what is like to win in Lawrence.
One thing is for sure, I believe David Beaty has this team on the right track that will lead to brighter days of sunshine on Mount Oread.