4/16/01 - Confirmed one piece of remaining recruiting news - and it isn't about a coach - Greg Nicks, OL/LS, from Maize, KS via Butler CC is enrolled and participating in spring drills. Handling most of the longsnapping, Greg is also making an impact along the OL.

2/12/01 - Today's news is about a new DL coach. Rumor in the media has Travis Jones from Appalachian State University joining the KU staff for next year. He was the DL coach at Georgia where he played collegiately and the LBs at ASU while serving as their recruiting coordinator. The other major piece of news is the possibility of playing MU at Arrowhead next year. They currently have seven home games and the MU game falls on a fall break weekend when a low student turnout would be expected.

2/12/01 - The class is signed, still holding a LOI to see if DeShawn Spivey qualifies. There are three who signed that still have to qualify. KU staff has stated that they only signed kids they felt were very likely to qualify. Remember that all qualified last year. Ronnie Amadi is qualified but his brother is working on meeting required test scores. Saw some great videos of the players from their recruiting tapes at the Big Blue Monday meeting tonight.

The big news over the weekend is apparently KU has signed a contract for their new Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator - Tom Hayes (bio), formerly the DB coach for the Washington Redskins, the DC for UCLA and DC for OU among several other jobs. KU is currently interviewing three candidates for the DL coaching position with the probability of making a decision by Friday.

2/7/01 - The http://www.jayhawks.org/football/releases/01recruits/index.html has been posted at the KUAC web site. One noticable exception was DeShawn Spivey was absent from the list. It was known that DeShawn had the most work to do to qualify.

2/6/01 - It appears that KU has filled its allotment of scholarships, having commitments for 20 Letters of Intent ready to sign today plus the seven signed by spring enrollees. Clark Green, a RB/LB from Tampa, FL is the latest commitment. Several of the last commitments were rated only one star by Rivals.com "experts" but several factors go into their ratings. One factor, only one or two of the raters ever see any of the kids play so most look at how someone else voted and what little information is published to form an opinion. Second, most ratings are based on who is recruiting a kid. Look at the ratings after a kid commits to a school. If it is KSU, the stars start adding, KU, they start dropping, even though there might be specific reasons, like locality, why a kid has verballed.

After following the ratings for about three years now, I have finally realized that the ratings only reward kids from high profile, winning highschool programs or summer camp participants. Kids who develop late or play in obscure locales are often over looked. Case in point, KSU starting LB Pierce was a one star recruit yet he was a big star this year on their defense. When all-district performers from Texas or 1st team all-staters from Arizona go unnoticed there are obviously gaps in the recruiting "guru" world. Being a top rated HS prospect is no guarantee of success, nor a lack of rating a guarantee of failure. Tim Bowers became a quality player at KU but had very little fanfare out of HS. Marc Owens was the same way. Chaz Murphy was virtually unrecruited out of HS.

Success or failure of a recruiting class takes three years to measure based on indivudual development and meeting a teams specific needs. It looks like KU has met their needs, we will see if the kids continue to develop.

2/5/01 - Last night was big for KU. Don't believe the Rivals "star" rankings and resultant class rating. These are kids that fell through the cracks but obviously are underrated. Making all-district in Texas is equivalent to all-state in Kansas especially playing in premiere programs like Killeen. Tim Allen, DT, Remuise Johnson, CB, Brandon Rideau, WR, and Robert Sanders, RB are all quality kids and great pickups to finish out the class. It is unclear whether KU would still have any to offer but there are rumors of two other possibilities. Wednesday is signing day and official word will probably be released tomorrow night. The other big news is the presence of a potential DC in Lawrence last night with major D1 and NFL experience. No specific name as of yet. In case no one has figured it out, there will probably not be a designated OC for next year as Terry Allen has already announced that he was calling the plays. Any extra coach may be placed on the defensive side of the ball.

2/4/01 - The flu has set me back updating this page. There has been some news even though KU is near the end with their available scholarships. Nick Clapp, all-state ILB, verballed from Arizona. It appears that KU is going strong after a RB, DT and DB with their remaining offers. MOKAN hints at some positive news.

1/28/01 - Marshell Chiles, RB/S from El Reno, OK re-confirmed his commitment to KU. Greg Heaggans, WR/S, had re-confirmed his commitment also earlier last week. This makes 21 known commitments for KU. There are still a few names getting mentioned with KU but the coaches are clearly down to their last few scholarships. Just to remind readers about the possible number of Letters of Intent (LOI) possibly offered, with 18 seniors and a number of departures since last year, KU will probably be looking to sign a full 25, more possibly counting mid-semester transfers from junior colleges.

1/23/01 - I am sure some were concerned that the commitment list was headed the wrong way with two prospects changing their minds but the trend abruptly stopped with four commitments on Tuesday. The QB, DB, DE and LB positions got a numbers boost. QB Brian Luke is from Cali, DB Ronnie Amadi is from Texas, DE Keith Watts from Florida and LB Jeremy Freeman is also from Texas.

A little summary of the class todate might be appropriate at this time. With probably a couple other commitments out there now and as many as 6-7 more total to be offered, many of the positions have been addressed for the most part.

Special Teams - An excellent kicker and punter have both verballed. Both should make an impact next year. There was talk of offering a LOI to a long snapper but no word on anyone yet.
DB - Two excellent HS cover corners have verballed and a physical safety from Kansas. A JC player still could be thrown into the mix but there are numbers on the roster now.
LB/DE - Several graduations and lots of youngsters left a hole at this position. There could be some shuffling between DE and LB among the roster and JC signees. All the JC players should contribute immediately and have an impact. Marcus Rogers is a good ILB and potential for backups come from the underclassmen or the signed JC prospects. There are some HS prospects with the potential to make solid DEs.
DL - If Holloman regains academic status after an emotionally trying fall, there is a lot of depth there for next year. This is a position that a HS prospect ot two still seems to be needed. Watts could grow into a DT with time and already is quick. A JC prospect could also show up in the final list.
OL - KU went for immediate help and got it. All four could make tremendous impacts this year. Lewis might be the only one that could redshirt to provide more time for development due to the limited time he has played on an OL. Guzman could contribute on either side of the ball. More HS players are needed but the roster will be full for two years so probably won't see another this year.
Skill positions - If Chiles' commitment holds, he could be a solid contributer in a few years as a RB. Another likely WR candidate is Guillory from Topeka. I suspect a TE candidate will emerge from the final 7 offers. FB - With a one back set most of the time, this isn't a critical position but there aren't the numbers on the roster currently. This could be a JC signee.
QB - Luke appears to be a solid prospect and ensures adequate depth and future development at the position.

1/22/01 - No surprise with this announcement. Derrick Ming is switching his commitment to MU. Long suspected. Now done.

1/21/01 - One of the top players in Kansas has decided to change his commitment to KSU. Ted Sims has changed his mind after a visit to Manhattan. It appears that Greg Heaggans is committed to KU. There were several players in this last weekend. A JC corner back and a HS QB from Cali are expressing high interest in KU. There has not been any other updates yet from the weekend but I expect to here more as the week goes on. There has not been any public news on coaches except that Schottenheimer is going to the NY Jets.

1/16/01 - KU gained two new names yesterday in their football program. One was OL prospect, Joey Guzman from Tulsa, OK. The other was Clarence James, WR coach who has spent considerable time with such programs as OU, UT and T-Tech with strong Texas ties for recruiting. Two positions remain open - DL and TE as well as naming a D-Coor and O-Coor. Allen has said he would resume the play calling responsibilities he held the first two year at KU so it is possible that no-one would be specified as an O-Coordinator.

There are a few previous commitments that are essentially re-opened - Derrick Ming, Ted Sims, and Marshell Chiles. KU's OL signees from JC ranks are climbing the "star" chart on Rivals. John Harvey is now rated a 4 star player. The weekend of January 19th is KU's big recruiting weekend in January. As many as 14 prospects will be in town.

1/5/01 - KU has received a commitment to replace their graduating punter. Curtis Ansel from Garden City CC was all-conference. This makes eight JC commitments this year including the spring enrollees. Other news has KU talking to KC Chiefs DC Kurt Schottenheimer about their vacant DC position.

12/28/00 - Today was a good news/bad news day. The good news is the Jayhawks 16th commitment. An All-State RB from Oklahoma, Marshell Chiles, committed following efforts by QB Coach Jay Johnson. Marshell also excelled as a returner and safety. The bad news is the re-opening of recruiting by Greg Heaggans following teh departure of Wyatt. He says he has a commitment with KU but is talking to other schools including OSU where Wyatt went. Other players have indicated their commitments were firm including CB Johnny Watkins.

12/27/00 - So far the departure of Coach Wyatt has seen only one prospect re-open his recruiting. Derrick Ming, RB, out of Missouri is now a soft commitment. KU is reportedly close to a commitment from a JuCo punter. Coach Mark Farley seems to be the man now in recruiting and is making some inroads in Texas. Still waiting on word for prospective new coaches.

12/21/00 - Wow! This is quite a haul for KU. Six JuCo players have signed so far and all six will enroll for spring. Three quality OL prospects (Harvey still to sign, possibly in spring - not sure of graduation status) and three highly recruited DE/LB prospects. With Harvey, the OL has instantly been upgraded. Update!! - Harvey has also signed today. Four JC OL reporting for spring! This brings the total to seven.

12/15/00 - KU gained their ninth commitment yesterday from the top rated cover CB in the two state area. Johnny Watkins was widely recruited despite an ACL injury early in the fall. KU's next commtment may be their most important. Coach Wyatt, who is the primary recruiter and now OC, has been offered by OSU to join their new staff. Obviously retaining him might have the biggest effect on the teams immediate prospects in recruiting this year.

12/7/00 - We can expect to be hearing lots of news in the next few weeks, already there are rumors about new coaches. At the same time, commitments and visitor reports will pick up. For example, the KU offense received news yesterday of another commitment by Derrick Ming, a big RB/LB, who made a visit last weekend. Good size and speed, he was recruited as a RB. The one coach rumor concerns an offensive line coach. Some of the recruits seem to know who it is and it is now being reported by the LJW as well. It is former MU coach Sam Pittman and he could play favorably with a couple of prospects, namely Brock Teddleton, 6-6 330 JuCo OL from Coffeyville CC.

12/4/00 - A piece of good news with a new commitment after the disappointing season. There will be major shake up in the staff with Darrell Wyatt named the Offensive Coordinator, OL coach Klinker released, DC/DL coach Weigandt released, OC/RB coach Salmon responsibilities limited to the RBs, and LB coach Middleton resigning to coach elsewhere. News from Lawrence today is the verbal commitment from athlete Greg Heaggans from Schlagle HS in Kansas City, KS. His older brother is at Purdue. Expected to move to WR, he played much of his career as a QB and DB.

10/27/00 - What a day! KU received two more commitments, one from a JC pre-season A-A offensive lineman and the other a highly recruited HS linebacker. John Harvey, a former teammate of Tony Damiani, will be an impact player next year. Ted Sims, from Newton, KS, is a highly rated linebacker or safety (MOKAN Super 35) that will really bolster the defense in years to come. With 18 seniors and a number of departures since last year, KU will probably be looking to sign a full 25, more possibly counting mid-semester transfers from junior colleges. With these six commitments, expect about 20 offers yet to be filled.

All indications are that there could be as many as 7-9 JC players and 17-20 HS players. LB and OL are priorities for recruiting the JC ranks this fall. There will be a number of HS LB/Rush ends but there is an immediate need next year for seasoned players to fill the LB spots. High school defensive linemen will be a priority this year as they await their chance for playing time as redshirt freshmen along with some tremendous sophomores. They will recruits across all positions but some with be athletes that could fill multiple needs. One very important position that most don't think about is long snapper but expect a prospect to be awarded a LOI to fill that need with Bob Schmidt graduating.

10/26/00 - Well, more good news surrounds the football program. First there was the back to back wins against MU and CU. Now a new verbal commitment from a Kansas HS player. Justin Henry, from Hoyt, KS (plays for Royal Valley HS), is a multi-position player but is projected by KU as a DE. A member of the MOKAN Super 35, he represents a group of solid players already committed for next year from Kansas.

8/15/00 - The summer is over and the camps have ended. All the players are making their lists and so are the schools. Rumors, rumors everywhere and nothing to substantiate them. The real lists are now being formed and now for a fall update.

4/18/00 - The recruiting success continues as KU received their second commitment towards next February's class. Banks Floodman should be among the top 5 in-state prospects next fall.

3/25/00 - Amazing! TA and staff went out and surprised everyone with a top notch class but that wasn't enough, now they have an early commitment for February 2001 from possibly the top prospect in KC!
2/29/00 - The names for the class of 2001 are beginning to show up already. The focus will be on getting local names first but any names nationally found will be added.

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