Jack Bailey was dissatisfied in December when he heard the information of his coaches leaving Kent State.
After 4 seasons with the Golden Flashes, the one head coach (Sean Lewis) and offensive line coach (Invoice O’Boyle) that Bailey has recognized have been heading to Colorado.
“For certain bummed,” mentioned Bailey, a 6-foot-3, 280-pound guard. “However, I knew I needed to get my diploma and I had one semester left. I’m simply glad all of it ended up working itself out ultimately.”
Final month, Bailey made the choice to switch to CU and reunite with Lewis and O’Boyle. New CU head coach Deion Sanders employed Lewis to be the Buffaloes’ offensive coordinator and O’Boyle to educate the offensive line.
“Truthfully that was the ultimate deciding issue (in transferring),” mentioned Bailey, who will graduate from Kent State this month. “I’ve by no means actually been out west or something so I didn’t know a lot about it out right here however as quickly as I obtained a name from coach OB, it was one thing I knew I needed to do. The connection that I’ve had throughout the previous 4 years is one thing that’s constructed on blood, sweat and tears.”
Bailey grew up in Willoughby, Ohio, starring for Kirtland Excessive College. After redshirting at Kent State in 2019, he was within the line rotation through the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. He grew to become a starter in 2021 after which began all 12 video games for the Flashes final season.
His former teammate, sort out Savion Washington, transferred to CU in January. O’Boyle is worked up to carry Bailey into the combination, as properly.
“Jack not solely brings a little bit of the psychological a part of it, figuring out our system, however he’s a troublesome man and that’s what we’re missing,” O’Boyle mentioned. “Jack’s a battler, he’s a troublesome child. I’m glad as heck to know he’s coming in as a result of I do know what he brings, not solely simply on the sport day, in scrimmages or the rest, however Jack in particular person (drills) is a kind of guys that’s consistently working, man. That man desires to get higher each rep. You want that, particularly offensive linemen.”
Given his expertise with O’Boyle and Lewis’ up-tempo offense, Bailey is raring to assist the Buffs.
“I feel it helps a ton,” he mentioned. “I do know I’m coming in right here and I’m gonna must work arduous and I’m gonna put my head down and go for 2 years. However, it positively helps in the truth that I may also help anybody else with any calls, any approach, as a result of I’ve been on this system for 4 years. It’ll assist in the truth that I can unfold my information from what I’ve discovered to a few of these newer guys which can be newer to this offense.”
Though he’s been an everyday starter for O’Boyle and Lewis at Kent State, Bailey mentioned he is aware of he’s not assured a beginning job with the Buffaloes.
“With my mentality, I positively need to are available and begin and be a frontrunner, however I do know that every thing’s earned,” he mentioned.
CU returns two beginning offensive linemen in sort out Gerad Christian-Lichtenhan and middle Van Wells. As well as, Sanders and his workers have introduced in seven linemen who have been starters at their schools final 12 months.
The skilled group of newcomers contains Bailey and Washington, together with Landon Bebee (Missouri State), Tyler Brown (Jackson State), Isaiah Jatta (Snow Faculty), Kareem Harden (Butler Neighborhood Faculty) and Jack Wilty (Iowa Central Neighborhood Faculty).
“I can’t wait,” Bailey mentioned. “I feel it’ll actually elevate the competitors. Ultimately, that makes everyone higher. I’m very excited.”
He’s additionally excited to dwell exterior of Ohio for the primary time. He visited CU the week earlier than the spring recreation and mentioned, “It was actually my first time ever seeing the mountains and I felt like slightly child.”
Quickly, he’ll get to dwell close to the mountains and rejoin the coaches he grew shut with at Kent State.
“I can’t wait,” he mentioned. “I want I could possibly be there proper now.”
Need extra sports activities information? Join the Sports activities Omelette to get all our evaluation on Denver’s groups.