LAWRENCE — David Beaty made it to many of Bryce Torneden’s games last year during the latter’s senior season at Free State.
Admittedly, though, the 5-foot-10, 175-pound standout was not the main draw for the Kansas football coach.
Beaty’s most direct Free State tie comes via his daughter Averie, a Firebirds cheerleader. Fatherly duties, therefore, dictated Beaty make it to as many Free State games as possible.
It was there Torneden, a two-way player at quarterback and defensive back, caught the then first-year KU coach’s eye.
“Each week, you (saw) a guy continue to make plays on both sides of the ball,” Beaty said, “over and over and over again.