In a statement announcing a player's decision to quit football for medical reasons, the University of Kansas (KU) also revealed that two players were dismissed for a "violation of team rules."
KU stated wide receiver Rodriguez Coleman and running back Corey Avery's status with the Jayhawks football team would be switched from indefinitely suspended to dismissed. The school's athletic department did not disclose the violation(s) either player committed.
But headlining KU's football "roster update" was linebacker Jake Love ending his football career for what ESPN called "unspecified medical reasons." A number of pro and collegiate football players have announced early retirements of late due mostly to concussions or concern for future head injuries, but it is unclear if that is Love's motivation.
He graduated in May with a Bachelor's Degree in communications.
"When I think of Jake Love I think of a hard-nosed, tough, physical football player," Kansas head football coach David Beaty said in the team's statement. "We are going miss his leadership and tenacity on the field, but we will also miss having a guy out there with the experience he has playing in the Big 12. With that said, nothing is more important than his health and him being able to have a long, productive future outside of football. I am really happy he got his degree and we wish him the best as he moves forward."
Rounding out KU's update was the recruiting class of 2015, the signees of which recently arrived on campus ahead of the football preseason. But Shola Ayinde, one of those signees, announced he would be delaying his enrollment at KU.
"I would like to start off by thanking Coach Turner Gill for giving me the opportunity to play at the University of Kansas four short years ago" Love said in the statement. "I have met so many amazing people on this journey and consider many of them family. Unfortunately, I have been advised not to play football anymore due to medical reasons. I am thankful that KU has given me the option to start working on my master's degree in the fall and it's something I look forward to."
