I enjoyed this Asher Fusco UDK article this morning on the impact of Bill Young leaving. However, this excerpt on James McClinton has been part of a media theme for 2007 that I can't quite agree with:

"Four years ago, James McClinton arrived at Kansas a too-short, too-squat three-star recruit. Three weeks ago, McClinton ended his collegiate career as a second-team All-American and Big 12 Conference Defensive Lineman of the Year. During his seasons spent learning from Young, McClinton harnessed his talents, learned how to properly release those talents, and went from afterthought to the worst nightmare of every offensive lineman in the Big 12."

The reality is most of the hardcore fans remember the recruitment of McClinton and despite his stature it was pretty much expected that he would provide an immediate impact. The "motor" term was used to describe him as a recruit. Sure enough, after arriving at KU, he played as a freshman (actually overshadowed by Todd Haselhorst in year one), then started 11 games as as sophomore. The rest is history.

The media likes to play up a good story, but I don't think McClinton came into Lawrence under anyone's radar. He was a three-star DT in a class that was mostly full of two stars, so fans of the KU gridiron had high expectations for James. Maybe at Texas or Oklahoma he would have been an afterthought, but at Kansas he was a carefully watched player. In the end, the compelling story is that he delivered in a big way and I think we're all proud of the player he became and the man that he is evolving into.

By the way, take a look at the class that Whittemore built: Scout 2004. The foundation for  12-1 Orange Bowl season.

*Yes, I know Scout had him as a two-star, but it's generally accepted that Rivals is more accurate for football. Case in point -- James McClinton.