Greg Brown Verbals, Plato Upgraded

The Kansas football team received another verbal commitment last week. This time it was three-star cornerback Greg Brown out of Cedar Hill High School in Texas. Yes, that's the same school that produced both Dezmon Briscoe and Marcus Herford. Brown is 5-11/164 and is the 37th best corner in the nation according to Rivals.com.

Rivals also upgraded defensive end Nicholas Plato to a three-star ranking. That means KU's 2008 class contains players that are all three-stars or higher.

2008 Recruits By Position

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

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 -- Zach Stadther/North Little Rock, AK -- 6-2/275/4.9 -- 6/19/2007

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
2-DE -- Nicholas Plato/Edwardsville, IL -- 6-6/228/4.82 -- 11/18/2007

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

2008 Recruits Complete List

Star/PS  Player/Location/Ht/Wt/40/Signed
4-OL -- Nathan D'Cunha/Santa Barbara, CA -- 6-7/307 -- 12/12/2007
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-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
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
2-DE -- Nicholas Plato/Edwardsville, IL -- 6-6/228/4.82 -- 11/18/2007
Rating Source: Rivals

Sebelius On Mizzou

It's a whole new attitude in Kansas:

"I think there is a life lesson for Missouri in this whole situation, which is: Don’t mess with Kansas. They beat us; they end up going to the cotton-pickin’ bowl and we’re going to the Orange Bowl.

Gold and black are Topeka High School colors, so I still have a lot of “Topeka (High School) mom” stuff that I may just dig out again. They didn’t say I had to dress like a tiger. They just said gold and black."

Kathleen Sebelius in a KC Star Interview

Micah Brown's 2007 KU Highlight Video

Hat tip: rockchalktalk.com (I saw this over there this morning, but the link wasn't working)

Jayhawk Radar

A round-up of KU football news ...

AP Coach of the Year
Mark Mangino is coach of the year again and again and again ... Yesterday it was the AP award. KC Star Link

"The award was Mangino’s fifth national coach of the year honor and he might make it a clean sweep with four more trophies out there to be had."

West Virginia and Mark Mangino
Interesting hoax from KUsports.com on Mark Mangino talking with W. Virginia. The PhogBlog.com boys were all over it.  Anyway, Tom Keegan thinks Mangino is in it for the long haul. I agree. Mangino can have everything that was offered to Roy Williams in Lawrence. In short, he can become a KU legend. He's already well on his way.

Kevin Keitzman Brings Out the Best In Gary
The more I listen to Gary Pinkel, the more disappointed I am. Of course, as the coach of the Mizzou football team he is the prince of darkness. That's a given as a rival. However, from a reality perspective, he's a coach that took a struggling program to respectability and a #1 ranking. So, obviously there's some respect for the job he has done. Generally, I'll avoid the KK/Pinkel weekly interview on 810 at all costs, but I just couldn't take any more Chiefs whining on 610 for the ride home last night. So I'm starting to zone out as they drone on, but I think I heard Keitzman suggest that a number one or two ranked Big 12 team ought to be able to pass on the Big 12 championship game in order to preserve their path to the mythical National Championship game. Okay. Then, I don't know if they were horsing around or what, but Pinkel is actually in agreement and seems to perk up about the idea. Seriously, if you heard this yesterday, post in the comments and clarify it for me. Even if they were joking around, he gave the impression that he actually felt like they were screwed by having to play in the Big 12 Championship. I just can't agree with that type of attitude in any way.

First of all, the only system that makes since is the conference system. Win your division, go play the other champion at a neutral site and the winner is the conference champion and gets a legitimate trophy. That whole MNC deal is out of our hands. It's a fool's system, so you don't even worry about it. Take care of what you can and if you get lucky, the good ol' boys club will invite you to play in the big game.

It really makes me uncomfortable to hear to hear a football coach joke about avoiding a game that matters just so they could slip into the top slot in the CFB beauty pageant. KU fans, players and coaches would have given anything to win at Arrowhead and have a shot at a conference title.

Pinkel made strides with his media presence this year, but this attitude about the Big 12 Championship and the approach he took after the Iowa State win/loss in 2006 are not in line with my views about competition and sport.

Speaking of Whining
It goes on and on ... KC Star Front Page of the Sports Section -- http://www.kansascity.com/sports/story/411241.html

Jake Sharp Comment
Jake Sharp mentioned something in the Star today that I really felt during the undefeated run. That target weighs pretty heavy. You don't talk about it, because it's like a no-hitter, but it's definitely there. This quote was just a subtle allusion to that:

"We were able to put on a couple of vanity pounds and get our strength back up, get our endurance back up, everything that deteriorates. Mentally, too, the grind will wear on you. Our morale is back up and we’re ready to go play some football.”

Thanks for the Non-Story
KUsports.com reports that we don't how much money was made from the Arrowhead game yet. Interesting. I did like this quote from the comments section though. I believe it is in reference to the wonderfully engaging Mizzou fans:

"I don't want to throw my boys to those foul-mouthed, drunken wolves."

Jayhawks and the NFL Draft

With players across the country filling out paperwork for the Sunday league, it makes you wonder how many Jayhawks have a shot to be drafted -- especially with the recent non-history KU has with the NFL draft.

Aqib Talib (6-2/195) -- So far it looks like he projects as a late first rounder.

Anthony Collins (6-5/320)-- As a junior, he's not listed much on the draft sites, but now that he's filled out the paperwork, the buzz might grow. Actually, his matchup with Chris Ellis in the Orange Bowl might be the make or break factor for becoming a potential #2 pick.

Brandon McAnderson (5-10/235)-- He won't be a high draft pick, but someone should take him. Before becoming KU's featured back, he was an outstanding fullback. I think there are still some NFL teams that could use a standard fullback. Not naming names or anything. B-Mac is listed on the walterfootball.com draft site as one of the top fullbacks.

Marcus Henry (6-4/210)-- His size and the numbers he put up this year make him a possible pick. If nothing else, I'll say that he'll get a free agent contract. He's listed as the 27th best receiver at walterfootball.com.

James McClinton (6-1/285)-- C'mon. I didn't see him listed on any sites, but this guy has a motor and is the rock of KU's defense. He may be a little under-sized, but this guy can play football. Maybe a big Orange Bowl will help get the word out.

Virginia Tech Video vs UNC

After taking a look at some of game footage of the Hokies, I'm thinking we match up pretty well with these guys ...

KU Lands Lubbock Smith

Three-Star safety Lubbock Smith from Dallas, Texas gave a verbal commitment to Kansas today according to Rivals.com. Smith is 5-11/182 and runs a 4.4 forty.

Stories:
http://hs.beloblog.com/archives/2007/10/carter_int_for_lubbock_smith.html
http://www.hsgametime.com/dfw/sharedcontent/dws/content/playerweek/stories/102907dnspohsfbdefpow.3684e87.html

In other recruiting news, wide receiver Jamaal Johnson out of Houston, Texas is off the board for KU. According to Rock Chalk Talk, he didn't qualify academically for KU.

Also, both Zach Stadther and Sean Ransburg have both moved up to three-star rankings at Rivals.com.

2008 Recruits Complete List

Star/PS  Player/Location/Ht/Wt/40/Signed
4-OL -- Nathan D'Cunha/Santa Barbara, CA -- 6-7/307 -- 12/12/2007
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-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
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
2-DE -- Nicholas Plato/Edwardsville, IL -- 6-6/228/4.82 -- 11/18/2007
Rating Source: Rivals

Jayhawk Fans Deliver -- Orange Bowl Allotment Sold Out

Nice work by the KU fan base. After all of the criticism, it definitely feels good to see the fans step up.

http://kuathletics.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/121707aaa.html 

Talib Rates the Freshman

Aqib Talib gave an evaluation of freshman corner Isiah Barfield in a Sunday Wichita Eagle article. Here's Aqib's quote:

"Isiah really jumps out at me. He never played corner in high school, but he looks real comfortable doing it. He's one of the quickest, fastest players on the team. I think he'll be pretty good once he learns the defense."

Quickest and fastest? I like the sound of that. Hopefully, Talib is correct and with Chris Harris, Kendrick Harper and Barfield (will redshirt) we'll get some stability at the corner position. If AT comes back for 2008, it could get real frustrating for opposing wideouts.

Good Stuff From Mangino

Mark Mangino and the Jayhawks came out with an intensity for 2007 that obviously contributed to the 11-win regular season. Mangino was considerably more brief with the media this season. Who can blame him since they spent the summer and a good part of the September predicting his demise while criticizing his schedule? Except for the schedule nonsense, that's all ancient history now and it's good to hear Mark joking it up a little during the "intermission" before the big event. He's got a great sense of humor that some people just don't appreciate. I do. From the Kansas City Star today:

"This is a program that has not been able to sustain success in football for nearly a century," Mangino said. "When we do something good, our (sports information director) tells me after the game, 'This is the first time since Christopher Columbus landed here that KU did this.'"

Kansas Football Recruiting Part II

I thought we'd take a look at the Scout.com site today (phog.net) for rankings. They had KU ranked a little higher (#46) based on rating TE Tanner Hawkinson as a four-star prospect. In the meantime, Rivals.com has adjusted this week's JC commit, Nathan D'Cunha to a four-star ranking. KU moves up to #44 on their list. So here is how Scout ranks the North teams (note D'Cunha is still a one-star at Scout, expect an adjustment):

SCOUT TEAM RANK (BIG 12 NORTH)
14 -- Nebraska
24 -- Colorado
34 -- Missouri
46 -- Kansas
57 -- Iowa State
58 -- Kansas State

Scout Big 12 Conference Page

RIVALS TEAM RANK (BIG 12 NORTH) updated 12/14
14 -- Nebraska
20 -- Colorado
29 -- Missouri
44 -- Kansas
47 -- Kansas State
62 -- Iowa State

Rivals Big 12 Conference Page

2008 Recruits Complete List

Star/PS  Player/Location/Ht/Wt/40/Signed
4-OL -- Nathan D'Cunha/Santa Barbara, CA -- 6-7/307 -- 12/12/2007
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-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-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
2-DE -- Nicholas Plato/Edwardsville, IL -- 6-6/228/4.82 -- 11/18/2007
2-DT -- Zach Stadther/North Little Rock, AK -- 6-2/275/4.9 -- 6/19/2007
2-WR -- Jamaal Johnson/Houston, TX -- 6-2/180 -- 5/25/2007
2-ATH -- Sean Ransburg/Harrisonville, MO -- 6-1/185/4.5 -- 4/10/2007
Rating Source: Rivals

Update on Recruiting

Shouldn't We Be Higher By Now?

The players that come in look pretty good, but Kansas is still ranked 49th overall in recruiting by Rivals.com. The Jayhawks have 13 three-star commitments to date out of a class of 15 commitments. It's still early, but there aren't a lot of scholarships left to give. Of course, the Mark Mangino and 2007 Jayhawks proved that the ratings system doesn't work, but you'd still like to see us land a highly-ranked class off of an 11-win season.

RIVALS TEAM RANK (BIG 12 NORTH)
14 -- Nebraska
20 -- Colorado
30 -- Missouri
45 -- Kansas State
49 -- Kansas
62 -- Iowa State

Rivals Big 12 Conference Page

2008 Recruits Complete List

Star/PS  Player/Location/Ht/Wt/40/Signed
3-OL -- Nathan D'Cunha/Santa Barbara, CA -- 6-7/307 -- 12/12/2007
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-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-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
2-DE -- Nicholas Plato/Edwardsville, IL -- 6-6/228/4.82 -- 11/18/2007
2-DT -- Zach Stadther/North Little Rock, AK -- 6-2/275/4.9 -- 6/19/2007
2-WR -- Jamaal Johnson/Houston, TX -- 6-2/180 -- 5/25/2007
2-ATH -- Sean Ransburg/Harrisonville, MO -- 6-1/185/4.5 -- 4/10/2007
Rating Source: Rivals