With three slots to fill and six days until players can officially sign, today is a good time to take a look at how the 2008 class stacks up historically for the Kansas football program. As the loyal readers know, this usually kicks off a couple days worth of Excel snapshots analyzing the KU class versus the conference. Enjoy:
Sources:
http://kansas.scout.com/a.z?s=172&p=9&c=8&yr=2008
http://kansas.rivals.com/commitlist.asp
Zach Stadther is officially out. KU considered him an academic risk and with just 22 spots couldn't afford hold the offer for him. He committed to Arkansas. That gives KU three spots to fill. It'd be nice to come up with another DT and another linebacker, but otherwise it looks like the class is addressing our needs nicely.
OFFENSE
Star/PS Player/Location/Ht/Wt/40/Signed
4-OL -- Nathan D'Cunha/Santa Barbara, CA -- 6-7/307 -- 12/12/2007
3-OL -- Trevor Marrongelli/Round Rock, TX -- 6-4/285/5.1 -- 11/4/2007
3-OL -- John Williams/Tulsa, OK -- 6-4/335 -- 10/9/2007
3-OL -- Ben Lueken/St. Louis, MO -- 6-5/318/5.1 -- 9/17/2007
3-QB -- Kale Pick/Dodge City, KS -- 6-1/198/4.5 -- 10/22/2007
4-RB -- Jocques Crawford*/Cisco, TX -- 6-1/220/4.55 -- 1/20/08
3-WR -- Rod Harris*/Brenham, TX --6-2/190/4.5 -- 1/12/2008
3-WR -- Daymond Patterson/Mesquite, TX -- 5-8/165/4.43 -- 6/9/2007
3-TE -- Tim Biere/Omaha, NE -- 6-4/235/4.8 -- 6/18/2007
3-TE -- Tanner Hawkinson/McPherson, KS -- 6-6/230/4.8 -- 6/16/2007
DEFENSE
Star/PS Player/Location/Ht/Wt/40/Signed
3-DT -- Darius Parish/Wichita, KS -- 6-3/325/5.08 -- 12/28/07
3-DE -- D.J. Marshall/Mesquite, TX -- 6-4/275/4.75 -- 12/9/2007
3-DE -- Duane Zlatnik/Rossville, KS -- 6-4/260 -- 11/18/2007
3-DE -- Nicholas Plato/Edwardsville, IL -- 6-6/228/4.82 -- 11/18/2007
3-LB -- Josh Richardson/Dublin, Ohio -- 6-4/195/4.45 -- 1/20/2008
3-CB -- Greg Brown/Cedar Hill, TX -- 5-11/164 --12/21/2007
3-DB -- Corrigan Powell/Garland, TX -- 5-10/161/4.5 -- 11/5/2007
3-DB -- Lubbock Smith/Dallas, TX -- 5-11/182/4.4 -- 12/17/2007
3-ATH -- Sean Ransburg/Harrisonville, MO -- 6-1/185/4.5 -- 4/10/2007
Rating Source: Rivals
Ryan Wood reports this morning that Kevin Kane will head to Wisconsin to work as a GA under Dave Doeren who was recently named defensive coordinator for the Badgers. Doeren was the KU linebacker coach during Kane's playing days. A nice move for Kevin. We want to see you hone those skills and bring it back to KU when the time is right.
Spying on Mangino
In a total non-news story the AP picks up that Mark Mangino went to the hospital for some tests. However, I didn't know that Lew was hassling the man about his weight, so I guess that was news to me
Scott Webb Meet the LPD
In a virtual non-news story, Scott Webb was arrested earlier this week for a failure to appear charge based on a "dog at large" citation. He was released.
Keanon Cooper Takes Tech
Four-star safety prospect Keanon Cooper chose Texas Tech over KU and Minnesota. “They [Texas Tech] have the best offense in the nation,” Cooper said. “All they need is a couple of guys to stop a couple of guys and they can have a good defense.”
No matter how it pans out with the Tech unit, Keanon will get a look at a good defense next fall in Lawrence.
2007 Monte Cozzens Award
To the KU player or players that best emulated the spirit of Monte Cozzen's TD run against Oklahoma in 1992
Todd Reesing
With 3,486 yards passing and 33 TDs, this little snake wrangler pretty much already has a Ring of Honor spot all lined out. Throw in a 12-1 record as a starter with an Orange Bowl championship to boot and I figure there should be statue outside of Memorial by next fall.
Anthony Collins
Now only did AC dominate his individual opponents, he demonstrated a passion on the field for winning that set a great example for his fellow teammates. Playing on one leg against Missouri showed how this young man is cut.
James McClinton
A.K.A. -- the Reverend. A masterful performance in his senior season. A constant factor at the line of scrimmage, disrupting the game plan for opponents. Weakness: Running the option (see CU game, just before the half).
Brandon McAnderson
I don't think you can underestimate the impact that B-Mac had on this season. After confusing teams for a couple of quarters with receivers spread out and running all over the place and Jake Sharp bouncing around, we'd frequently see the ball go to #35 on a key drive in the third quarter and watch him gash through the line and punish would-be tacklers. For defensive units that were already run ragged, it almost seemed unfair. B-Mac is a true symbol of the KU football transformation.
Aqib Talib
He had me at, "Dude didn't catch the ball, so I did." What can you say? The gambler got burned a few times this year, and I think that's why I like him on this list. He always came back. It also helps that he has mad skillz and painted a clear picture of KU football with his pick six in Miami. Here's to you #3.
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
The Hawk Digest Annual Awards have grown a bit, so I thought I'd break it into two posts. I'll announce the Monte Cozzens' Award Winner(s) tomorrow, and focus on the longer list today. The list of previous Cozzens' Award winners is at the bottom of today's post.
Aqib Talib pick six vs Virginia Tech (YouTube Link)
A simple, direct message repeated one final time for the nation -- KU is for real
Runner up: Reesing 60-yard run against CU, Jake Sharp first TD in Manhattan, Dez TD in Manhattan (SI spread), Fourth & 1 vs the J-Train, Talib 103-yard INT return, Mortenson FG block vs VT, Marcus Henry catch and run vs OSU, Reesing (Flutie Comparison) escape and completion vs OSU, Webb stutter-step 48-yarder vs CU and it goes on
Last year: Todd Reesing 63-yard run vs Colorado
Heisman-like performance by an opponent at Memorial Stadium
2007 Joe Ganz, Nebraska
Four TDs, 405 yards passing and 39 points against the Blue Steel defense pretty much says it all. Too bad about the four interceptions.
Runner up: Maurice Purify (7 catches, 158 yards, 3 TDs)
Previous winner: 2006 Adarius Bowman, Oklahoma St
Double Extra Point - Nebraska
Not just great photos of scantily clad college girls, the humor at DXP is right on target -- especially during a rough year.
Last year: BearMeat - Baylor (RIP)
Double Extra Point Surrender
This was after or maybe during the Missouri game. Hey man, I feel your pain.
Last year: BearMeat's Comparison of the SWC and The Goonies
Undefeated Lives Here
I got compliments on this one -- so it was the easy choice. The paint is starting to fade on the garage floor, but my wife and I were talking about the need to freshen it up due to the basketball team.
The language in this video and at least one of the Honorable Mention videos is ... well, profanity laced. You have to stick with the Katie video all the way through -- the best is toward the end. For further analysis, check out the Midwest Coast Bias post that originally tipped this one off.
Honorable Mention: 40-year-old Man with Children; Mangino's Hot Dog Rant, Don't Forget Your Power Towel, KSU Seizure Video, The Other KSU Seizure Video
(2007 Winner announced tomorrow)
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
Stadther Is Out
The message boards are reporting that Zach Stadther is off the list for KU -- an academic casualty. He's still listed on the commit list by Rivals.
Recruiting Targets
This information was snagged from a gridiron board thread. Flaredog does a great job of breaking down the situation. Basically with Stadther out of the mix KU has 19 commits and three spots left. Here are a few of the targets he mentions:
Gary Mason 3-star DE
http://kansas.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?pr_key=58309
Keanon Cooper 4-star Safety
http://kansas.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?pr_key=55667
Tremayne Scott 2-Star DE
http://kansas.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?pr_key=76905&sport=1
Star/PS Player/Location/Ht/Wt/40/Signed
4-RB -- Jocques Crawford*/Cisco, TX -- 6-1/220/4.55 -- 1/20/08
4-OL -- Nathan D'Cunha*/Santa Barbara, CA -- 6-7/307 -- 12/12/2007
3-LB -- Josh Richardson/Dublin, Ohio -- 6-4/195/4.45 -- 1/20/2008
3-WR -- Rod Harris*/Brenham, TX --6-2/190/4.5 -- 1/12/2008
3-DT -- Darius Parish/Wichita, KS -- 6-3/325/5.08 -- 12/28/07
3-CB -- Greg Brown/Cedar Hill, TX -- 5-11/164 --12/21/2007
3-DB -- Lubbock Smith/Dallas, TX -- 5-11/182/4.4 -- 12/17/2007
3-DE -- D.J. Marshall/Mesquite, TX -- 6-4/275/4.75 -- 12/9/2007
3-DE -- Duane Zlatnik/Rossville, KS -- 6-4/260 -- 11/18/2007
3-DE -- Nicholas Plato/Edwardsville, IL -- 6-6/228/4.82 -- 11/18/2007
3-DB -- Corrigan Powell/Garland, TX -- 5-10/161/4.5 -- 11/5/2007
3-OL -- Trevor Marrongelli/Round Rock, TX -- 6-4/285/5.1 -- 11/4/2007
3-QB -- Kale Pick/Dodge City, KS -- 6-1/198/4.5 -- 10/22/2007
3-OL -- John Williams/Tulsa, OK -- 6-4/335 -- 10/9/2007
3-OL -- Ben Lueken/St. Louis, MO -- 6-5/318/5.1 -- 9/17/2007
3-DT -- Zach Stadther/North Little Rock, AK -- 6-2/275/4.9 -- 6/19/2007 (may be out)
3-TE -- Tim Biere/Omaha, NE -- 6-4/235/4.8 -- 6/18/2007
3-TE -- Tanner Hawkinson/McPherson, KS -- 6-6/230/4.8 -- 6/16/2007
3-WR -- Daymond Patterson/Mesquite, TX -- 5-8/165/4.43 -- 6/9/2007
3-ATH -- Sean Ransburg/Harrisonville, MO -- 6-1/185/4.5 -- 4/10/2007
Rating Source: Rivals
David Beaty will take over the wide receiver coaching position vacated by Tim "Escalade" Beck. Beaty has held the same position at Rice for the past two seasons where they do run a spread attack similar to the Ed Warriner Aerial Assault. I think we've all learned to trust Mangino on his personnel choices and this looks like another good pick up with excellent ties to the Texas area. Expect improvement.
"The Border War against Missouri will again be played in Arrowhead Stadium. That game is not part of the 2008 season ticket package."
This will now be a true road game for KU.
We're 12-1 and have an Orange Bowl trophy in Mark Mangino's office. So where are the five-star recruits? According to Sout.com's Jamie Newberg, we better keep winning. Here's an excerpt from a little Q&A he did over at Fox Sports.
"Does a one-year boom really help recruiting in the long run? Will Kansas and Missouri start getting the top shelf guys?
JN: To stay a national power you have to recruit consistently well. While one very good class will help in the foundation, you need several back to back to back big years to truly be a contender and power each and every season. Consistency in recruiting is the key."
It's officially official.
1997 - Minnesota (defensive graduate assistant)
1998-99 - Kansas (graduate assistant)
1999 - Topeka Knights (head coach)
2000 - Kansas (assistant director of football operations)
2001 - Kansas (tight ends, special teams coordinator)
2002 - Kansas (running backs, special teams coordinator)
2003-05 - Kansas (safeties, special teams coordinator)
2006-07 - Kansas (safeties, co-defensive coordinator)
2008 - Kansas (defensive coordinator, safeties)
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.
DJ Goodwin
