KU Football Recycle: Ed Warinner, Brandon Blaney and Xavier Rambo

WARINNER AND BLANEY
The big news last week was the promotion of two KU assistant coaches last week. Offensive coordinator Ed Warriner now has the title of associate head coach, while Brandon Blaney (tight ends and recruiting coordinator) added the new responsibility of assisting with the offensive line. Let's hope both of them received nice raises as well as they've both been getting the job done. We all know the instant success of Warinner, but don't forget to factor in Blaney's recruiting. He was the assistant recruiting coordinator from 2003-2005 before taking over the head job in 2006. Anyone following the Hawks is aware of the upward curve we've enjoyed in recruiting.

The Warinner move is interesting as well as it indicates that he is clearly Mark Mangino's top assistant. I still feel like Mangino has focused on building a legacy with this program and will complete his career at KU; however, it's always a good idea to have a succession plan in place.

RAMBO MOVING ON
There's no official report out yet, but a thread on the Gridiron board indicates that wide receiver Xavier Rambo will be transferring out of KU. Probably due to his unique name, I think a lot of Jayhawk fans had kept an eye on Rambo and were hoping to see him playing more last year, but sometimes these things just don't work out. All of the sudden KU has a lot of receivers on deck and you could hardly blame a young guy for wanting to move somewhere with a better chance for playing time. Here's a look at the KU wideouts:

ON THE ROSTER
10-Kerry Meier (SR) 6-3/220
80-Dezmon Briscoe (JR) 6-3/200
81-Jonathan Wilson (JR) 6-3/190
85-Roderick Harris, Jr. (JR or SO?) 6-2/200
09-Raimond Pendleton (SR) 5-11/190
89-Tertavian Ingram (JR) 6-0/195
18-Xavier Rambo (JR) 6-0/195
47-Matt Bouwie (JR) 5-11/170
27-Willie O'Quinn (SO) 6-0/190
19-Reece Petty (JR) 6-2/195

INCOMING
Bradley McDougald | 6-0/181/4.5 - ****
D.J. Beshears | 5-9/185 - ***
Erick McGriff | 6-4/190/4.6 - ***
Chris Omigie | 6-5/185 - ***

GRADUATING
88-Dexton Fields 6-0/210
13-Marcus Herford 6-3/210
02-Raymond Brown 6-3/205
04-Gary Green 5-9/175
37-Micah Brown 6-0/185

Mangino's Greatest Hits: KU / KSU 2006

MANGINO-PRINCE I
You see the highlights above and remember that it was a 6-6 squad with some good memories. At times though, the 2006 season was a pretty severe test for Kansas football fans (@Toledo, @NU, A&M, OSU, @Baylor). We started over at quarterback after finally getting Jason Swanson up to speed in 2005 and we had to replace Mangino's first set of great linebackers along with ends Charlton Keith and Jermail Ashley. Charles Gordon also left for the NFL. It was a young squad and when you set the scene for the late-November home matchup with KSU, you have to remember that Ron Prince was bringing a bowl-bound 7-4 Wildcat squad to Lawrence fresh off a home win over #4 Texas. It was Captain Ron's first year and it would be KU's first look at Josh Freeman. KU's record stood at 5-5, so let's just say Wildcat confidence was pretty high.

It didn't go as planned for Josh Freeman though, as he ended up with three fumbles and three interceptions. On the Crimson and Blue side though, Jon Cornish rushed for a career-high 201 yards, two TDs and a ref knockdown as the Jayhawks came away with a 39-20 win. The Hawks scored 19 points in the fourth quarter with the help of a couple of Freeman turnovers. Anthony Webb intercepted a screen pass and took it 42 yards for a TD. Then Jeff Wheeler got a hold of Freeman and he coughed up the ball to Wayne Wilder. The big DT carried the ball 34 yards before little Leon Patton somehow willed Wilder out of bounds. No problem, Cornish scored on a 12-yard TD run the very next play.

The Hawks would get smoked by Mizzou 42-17 the following game at Columbia, but the KSU win was a growing up game for the young Jayhawks and a big tone setter for the 2007 season.

PHOTO THAT SAYS IT ALL:
http://www2.kusports.com/photos/galleries/2006/nov/18/ku_vs_kstate/23655/

VIDEO LINKS:
6sports summary: http://www2.kusports.com/videos/2006/nov/19/11329/ 

QUOTES:

"I was rooting for them. I wanted them to beat Texas so that would make us look even better - after they beat Texas and come and get served by us."
--Aqib Talib

"I've never liked K-State."
--Jon Cornish

"There was just something about the game plan that (assistant coach) Bill Young and the defensive staff put together. Everything clicked. When you looked at them on tape and you looked at what we were doing, I thought we really had a chance to play well."
--Mark Mangino

"It helps the big picture of our program. That KU is now a team that you've got to reckon with in the North, in the conference, in the state of Kansas. That's the important thing."
--Mark Mangino

8 of 12 | More from Mangino's Greatest Hits

Who is the Best KU Running Back of All Time?

Or maybe your top five, since that one is pretty obvious. Hit comments to get in.

10 Conferences For College Football

Here's a re-org plan that I haven't seen before:

http://www.californiagoldenblogs.com/2009/2/9/743213/a-total-college-football-r

Looks like we come out okay. I guess a ten-team playoff works, though I think I prefer 12. Anyway, I'm in. Where do I sign?

Hawk Digest Annual Awards 2008: Part IV -- Monte Cozzens Award (6 of 6)

Jake Sharp vs KSU / photo: annependleton.comJake Sharp

• 186 rushes
• 866 yards
• 4.6 ypc
• 12 rushing TDs
• 25 receptions
• 283 yards
• 1 TD reception

Okay, so I went a little overboard with six Cozzens Award winners for 2008. I guess that just shows how many players we have on this squad that are out there playing tough football. Mark Mangino is gettting through to these guys.

In the case of Jake Sharp, I still think he can be a better running back, but 866 yards in his first season as the feature back isn't too bad considering that we were training two new tackles. For me though, Jake Sharp sealed up a spot on this list based on the fact that he geared up and gave his best against Mizzou despite bruised ribs. We've all watched the game over and over and you can see that he is really hurting in the fourth quarter. Hardcore.

The Mizzou game might be the example, but really his toughness has been on display his entire career and I really liked the way he kept fighting this season despite some real struggles with the running game in the first half of the year. With maybe a few more guys helping out in and solid tackle play, I'd say that relentless attittude should mean Sharp will put up big numbers in 2009.

Cozzen's Award Winners--The Complete List:
1997 Ron Warner
1998 Patrick Brown
1999 Carl Nesmith, Chad Coellner
2001 Algie Atkinson
2002 Marcus Rodgers
2003 Bill Whittemore, Gabe Toomey
2004 Charles Gordon, Nick Reid, John Randle
2005 Charlton Keith, Jon Cornish, Banks Floodman, Mark Simmons
2006 Jon Cornish
2007 Todd Reesing, Anthony Collins, James McClinton, Brandon McAnderson, Aqib Talib
2008 Kerry Meier, Todd Reesing, Dezmon Briscoe, Darrell Stuckey, James Holt, Jake Sharp

Awards Schedule
Tuesday -- Part I: Play of the Year
Wednesday -- Part II: Wes Welker Award
Thursday -- Part III: Blog Awards
Friday -- Part IV: Monte Cozzens Award

Photo Credit: annependleton.com

Hawk Digest Annual Awards 2008: Part IV - Monte Cozzens Awards (5 of 6)

James Holt

• 105 tackles
• 19.5 tackles for loss
• 10 sacks
• 1 interception
• 1 pass breakup
• 6 forced fumbles
• 2 fumble recoveries

As we kicked off the final season of Mangino's Linebackers 2.0, I'm not sure anyone envisioned that James Holt would become the star of the trio. Injuries to both Mike Rivera and Joe Mortenson meant that Holt had to step up and by the end of the season it seemed like James was all over the field, snuffing out opponent attempts to run wide. Throw in the fact that midway through the season he filled a critical need when he started lining up as a defensive end in passing situations. Not only did he collect 10 sacks, he had an explosiveness from the edge that did just enough to disrupt precision passing attacks.

The other thing I find interesting about Holt is that he just quietly dominated. He always seemed to be in the background on this defense, but there he was -- always making tackles. Not a lot flash, just make the play and move onto the next one. Sort of the exact definition of a Cozzens Award winner.

Cozzen's Award Winners--The Complete List:
1997 Ron Warner
1998 Patrick Brown
1999 Carl Nesmith, Chad Coellner
2001 Algie Atkinson
2002 Marcus Rodgers
2003 Bill Whittemore, Gabe Toomey
2004 Charles Gordon, Nick Reid, John Randle
2005 Charlton Keith, Jon Cornish, Banks Floodman, Mark Simmons
2006 Jon Cornish
2007 Todd Reesing, Anthony Collins, James McClinton, Brandon McAnderson, Aqib Talib
2008 Kerry Meier, Todd Reesing, Dezmon Briscoe, Darrell Stuckey, James Holt, ???

Awards Schedule
Tuesday -- Part I: Play of the Year
Wednesday -- Part II: Wes Welker Award
Thursday -- Part III: Blog Awards
Friday -- Part IV: Monte Cozzens Award

Photo Credit: annependleton.com

Hawk Digest Annual Awards 2008: Part IV -- Monte Cozzens Award (4 of 6)

Darrell Stuckey

• 98 tackles
• 4.5 tackles for loss
• 5 interceptions
• 2 forced fumbles
• 1 fumble recovery

Darrell Stuckey was definitely the first player to earn his Cozzens Award this year. He was also the second player. Everything you need to know about Darrell as a football player you saw when he ran down Phillip Livas in the Louisiana Tech game to the deny the speedster a long touchdown run. In case you had spilled your Coke and missed the play or something, he backed it up on the next play by exploding through the line of scrimmage to knock Tech's running back down for a loss. It forced a field goal that was missed and the KU 'D' preserved a shutout.

Pride, talent, hard work and a desire to win. Darrell gave it his all this year. That's the kind of thing you love to see. For young football players, I think it's hard to have the perspective that your college career is really a fleeting moment. Everybody puts a different level of commitment into the game. You've got classes and maybe a social life. You can do the required weightlifting and training. Work hard in practice. But how many players are going to that next level? You know, the Lance Armstrong level. Treating your body as an engine and just taking one season to run perfect and pure. And you're doing it not to get to the NFL, but just to see how good you can play, to leave nothing to chance, to look back and say I truly gave it everything. I think Darrell Stuckey probably feels comfortable in that category.

The Tech play was really just a slice. Darrell did it all year. It's not like he didn't ever get beat or miss a tackle, but he played hard every down and then it really came together in Kansas City as he personally tormented Chase Daniel for three hours. The tomahawk chop and recovery, plus the two interceptions. What more can you say? If you want to know what it means to be a Jayhawk football player, watch a highlight video of Darrell Stuckey.

Cozzens Award Winners--The Complete List:
1997 Ron Warner
1998 Patrick Brown
1999 Carl Nesmith, Chad Coellner
2001 Algie Atkinson
2002 Marcus Rodgers
2003 Bill Whittemore, Gabe Toomey
2004 Charles Gordon, Nick Reid, John Randle
2005 Charlton Keith, Jon Cornish, Banks Floodman, Mark Simmons
2006 Jon Cornish
2007 Todd Reesing, Anthony Collins, James McClinton, Brandon McAnderson, Aqib Talib
2008 Kerry Meier, Todd Reesing, Dezmon Briscoe, Darrell Stuckey, ???, ???

Awards Schedule
Part I: Play of the Year
Part II: Wes Welker Award
Part III: Blog Awards
Part IV: Monte Cozzens Award

Photo Credit: annependleton.com

KU Football Recycle: Recruiting and the Departure Edition

Well, it ended up being spectacular day yesterday as Mark Mangino got the ink on his most talented class to date. The class ranked fifth in the Big 12 by Rivals and 31st overall (at one point in the morning KU was at 29). The Jayhawks finished just behind NU (#28), but essentially the two classes are pretty equal. The Huskers had five four-star players and 15 three-stars, while KU had four four-stars and 18 three-star players. The North rankings:

28 -- Nebraska
31 -- Kansas
41 -- Missouri
56 -- Colorado
72 -- Iowa State
95 -- Kansas State

In other news, we have three departures for the program. Tyler Lawrence will graduate this year and has decided to end his football career. Even though he didn't play much, Lawrence seemed to be a pretty big contributor on the sidelines.

The NCAA is at it again, according to the KC Star. After approving a fall class for Sean Ransburg, they've now done an audit and rejected the class. Way to look out for the student athlete.. Seems like they hand out extra years all the time at certain other Big 12 schools. In the meantime, Sean has enrolled at Mid-America Nazarene. This is disappointing not so much from KU football perspective, but more from my declining perception of the bungling NCAA as an effective organization. Pair this situation with the Eric Butler eligibility issue and I have no idea what they are trying to do.

And for the topper, Dugan at KUsports.com reports that our new d-line coach Kerry Locklin is already moving on. Quality. Looks like KU has Illinois d-line coach Tom Mims already lined out to take the position. Who wouldn't be excited about coaching this incoming group of d-linemen?  I guess a guy who just took a job with the jets.

KU Football Signing Day (Open Thread)

It's a big day, so I thought I'd just open this up. Post your thoughts or surprises by clicking comments below.

Hawk Digest Annual Awards 2008 -- Part IV: Monte Cozzens Awards (3 of 6)

Photo Credit: annependleton.comDezmon Briscoe

• 92 catches
• 1407 yards (school record)
• 15.3 ave
• 15 TDs (school record)

Let's face it, you knew Dezmon Briscoe could be a special player when he caught that first touchdown against Central Michigan back in 2007. It happened in the north endzone, right in front of the student section. As Briscoe left himself prone to gather in the ball along the endzone sideline, a CMU defender layed him flat. Dezmon held onto the ball and KU fans knew the true freshman was a new kind of talent.

He blew open his legacy when he took the wide receiver screen to the house against Kansas State in Manhattan a month later. That got him a nice spread photo in Sports Illustrated. He was part of a talented wide receiver arsenal and a key component for the Jayhawks in that magical 2007 season. However, with the graduation of Marcus Henry and an early season injury to Dexton Fields in 2008, all of the sudden Dezmon became the top threat and the top target for opposing defenses. Sure, he was making big plays againt LA Tech and FIU, but we didn't see much out of him against USF. That didn't last long though as Briscoe stepped up in Big 12 play. He had a huge game against OU with 269 yards and two TDs on 12 catches. We saw his toughness and desire to win in the Border War. He hauled in nine receptions for 115 yards and his kickoff returns turned a KU weakness into a huge positive that day.

In the bowl game, we saw what he could do against a mid-level team (really in one play). He tied Kerry Meier's brand new school record of 14 catches in a game. In the final analysis, he's the future Mangino/KU football model player -- a perfect blend of real talent and a team first/sawing wood attitude.

Cozzen's Award Winners--The Complete List:
1997 Ron Warner
1998 Patrick Brown
1999 Carl Nesmith, Chad Coellner
2001 Algie Atkinson
2002 Marcus Rodgers
2003 Bill Whittemore, Gabe Toomey
2004 Charles Gordon, Nick Reid, John Randle
2005 Charlton Keith, Jon Cornish, Banks Floodman, Mark Simmons
2006 Jon Cornish
2007 Todd Reesing, Anthony Collins, James McClinton, Brandon McAnderson, Aqib Talib
2008 Kerry Meier, Todd Reesing, Dezmon Briscoe, ???, ???, ???

Awards Schedule
Part I: Play of the Year
Part II: Wes Welker Award
Part III: Blog Awards
Part IV: Monte Cozzens Award

Photo Credit: annependleton.com

Nebraska beat KU by 10 in Lincoln, is the order restored?

Discuss by hitting the comment button.

The Real 2008 KU Football Awards

The Hawk Digest Annual Awards will continue on, but you may want to check in on the team awards from last night's ceremony at the Lied Center in Lawrence.

Full List of 2008 Winners

• Ray Evans Defensive Player of the Year – James Holt (senior, linebacker)
• John Hadl Offensive Player of the Year - Todd Reesing (junior, quarterback)
• Bruce Kallmeyer Special Teams Player of the Year – Darrell Stuckey (junior, safety)
• Gale Sayers Most Courageous Player – Jake Sharp (junior running back) and Kerry Meier (junior, wide receiver)
• Don Fambrough Unselfish Player – Daymond Patterson (freshman cornerback)
• Nolan Cromwell Leadership – Todd Reesing (junior, quarterback) and Darrell Stuckey (junior, safety)
• Willie Pless Most Tackles – James Holt (senior, linebacker)
• Galen Fiss Exemplery Service to Campus and Community – Mike Rivera (senior, linebacker)
• Most Improved Defensive Player – Jake Laptad (sophomore, defensive end)
• Most Improved Offensive Player – Kerry Meier (junior, wide receiver) and Dezmon Briscoe (sophomore, wide receiver)
• Iron Hawk Weight Room – Darrell Stuckey (junior, safety)
• Offensive Lineman of the Year – Adrian Mayes (senior, offensive guard)
• George Mrkonic Defensive Scout Player of the Year – Dustin Spears (junior, defensive end)
• Otto Schnellbacher Offensive Scout Player of the Year – Kale Pick (freshman, quarterback)
• Senior Academic Scholar Award – Russell Brorsen (senior, defensive end)