The Kennesaw State football team ended the 2019 football season with its third consecutive playoff appearance, defeating Wofford in the first round and falling to Weber State in the second round. After the postseason run, the team carried its momentum to the recruiting trail, landing two three-star recruits.
For the first round of the playoffs, KSU traveled to Spartanburg, South Carolina, to take on Wofford in a battle of option-style offenses. KSU would go on to win the game 28-21 behind a standout effort from sophomore quarterback Jonathan Murphy.
Murphy entered the game in the second quarter to replace starter Tommy Bryant, who suffered an injury. Following a 7-7 tie at halftime, Murphy accounted for three second-half rushing touchdowns. Among these scores was a 61-yard dash in the fourth quarter that secured the win for KSU.
After the first-round victory, the Owls traveled to Ogden, Utah, to face Weber State in a second-round game.
The Owls led 17-12 entering halftime. Injuries and fatigue would eventually catch up to the Owls as Weber State added 14 unanswered points in the third quarter. Sophomore kicker Nathan Robertson kept KSU in the game with a fourth-quarter field goal but the Owls could not overcome the deficit, ultimately losing the game 26-20.
Despite the season-ending loss, the team remained optimistic as it shifted toward the off-season. KSU will return several starters on offense and defense as last season’s team featured many young players. Both Bryant and Murphy showed that they are capable of running the offense, and both players will return for KSU in 2020.
Also returning for the Owls will be FCS All-American linebacker Bryson Armstrong, who racked up 95 total tackles in 2019. Slot-back and standout kick returner Isaac Foster is also coming back off an injury and will look to lead the KSU backfield next fall.
Along with the returning players, KSU will welcome a talented group of recruits in 2020. For the third consecutive season, the Owls signed the number-one class in the Big South conference, according to 247sports.com.
National Signing Day for the 2020 class will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 5. KSU brought in a strong class of recruits during the early signing period, which took place during the season. In total, the Owls secured 15 early signees highlighted by three-star recruits Carlos Allen Jr. and Gary Osby.
Allen is a defensive tackle out of Frederick Douglass high school in Atlanta. The defensive lineman earned All-Region honors and a three-star status after leading his team to the state quarterfinals in 2019. As a senior, he posted 50 tackles, 13 sacks and eight tackles for loss, according to KSU Athletics.
Osby is a running back from Lowndes high school in Valdosta, Georgia. Larger than most backs, Osby is listed at 5 foot 11 inches and 220 pounds. What separates Osby from others is his unique combination of size and speed. The prospect was clocked at a 4.54-second 40-yard dash, according to 247sports.com.
Osby is also listed as the highest-rated recruit to ever be signed by KSU by 247sports.com.
