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The Kansas University football team flocks to its fans after a 43-28 victory against Oklahoma State. The Jayhawks beat the Cowboys Nov. 10 at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater. The KU football team's dramatic success in 2007 has been named the top local story of 2007 by the Journal-World and 6News staff.
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Podcast episode
Spodcasters
Signing Day drama for KU?
Jon Kirby of Jayhawkslant.com (and the Rivals network) joins KUSports.com online editor Jesse Newell on this special pre-Signing Day edition of the Spodcasters. Jon talks about the drama that could unfold on Signing Day, as the Jayhawks might add a player or two to their already strong class. Jon goes ...
The Kansas University football team’s 2008 Orange Bowl championship — coupled with its Insight Bowl victory the following year — look to be paying dividends in the area of recruiting.
Today, the first day recruits may sign national letters of intent, the Jayhawks are expected to ink 24 players in a recruiting class that is currently ranked 29th nationally by the recruiting site Rivals.com, the highest in head coach Mark Mangino’s career.
The jewels of the Jayhawks’ 2009 class appear to be — on paper, at least — a trio of four-star prospects that potentially could have an impact from the time they strap on pads.
Prinz Kande, a safety out of Texas’ Euless Trinity High, and Quintin Woods, a defensive end transfer from Bakersfield (Calif.) Community College who originally committed to Michigan before taking the junior-college route, are set to arrive in Lawrence amid much fanfare.
Kande, a Kansas commit since June, was an all-district first-team selection for the 13-1 Trojans, while Woods recorded 29 tackles for loss at Bakersfield C.C. last season, and both, presumably, have aspirations of earning quick playing time on a Jayhawks’ defense that struggled against the spread offense last season.
“I’m just looking forward to going up there and being able to play as soon as I can,” Kande said Tuesday. “My goal is to play right away.”
Joining those two will be running back/fullback Toben Opurum, a 6-foot-2, 229-pound running back out of Texas’ Plano East High whose bruising style has drawn comparisons to former 1,000-yard back Brandon McAnderson.
“I’m ready,” said Opurum, who rushed for 873 yards and eight touchdowns as a senior. “Signing day is when I can get my workout stuff from KU and then also the playbook. So I’ll definitely have a lot to do.”
One remaining question mark on the eve of signing day, however, was the status of Bradley McDougald, a four-star prospect out of Ohio’s Dublin Scioto High. Scioto coach Karl Johnson said last Monday that McDougald’s parents were expected to meet with Mangino later that week, but it wasn't until Wednesday morning that McDougald had committed officially to the Jayhawks.
Kansas coaches are hoping their work over the past months will pay off in a big way once commitments become official this morning.
And while signing day has been known to provide a surprise or two, at least one commit has no intentions of calling an audible.
“There’s no doubt in my mind,” Kande said. “I’m ready to sign.”
More like this
- Dugan Arnett’s KU football notebook 17 comments / February 5, 2009
- KU adds four-star recruit McDougald to signing class 26 comments / February 4, 2009
- KU lands fullback Opurum 27 comments / December 23, 2008
- Facts, stats, notes and video on the 2009 Kansas commitments 7 comments / February 4, 2009
- 2009 Kansas Football Signees February 5, 2009
Big 12 colleagues voice support for embattled KU coach November 23, 2009
KU football competes but falls at Texas November 22, 2009
Mangino heads to Austin for Saturday game November 20, 2009
Mangino, Jayhawks board bus before heading to Austin, Texas November 20, 2009
GameDay Cram Session: Texas November 20, 2009
Comments
wxhawk (anonymous) says...
Making a good, consistent football team takes time. I think we can all agree that the coaching is there. We won an Orange Bowl with kids who were graded 3 star or less (not to take anything away from them. Hard work wins games). To have the added talent and the dedication to hard work will pay dividends. This KU alum is excited to see what happens.
February 4, 2009 at 5:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
springtxhawk (anonymous) says...
Agreed. I don't there is any question that our coaching can compete on a national level. Coach Mangino has done a magnificent job, really.But, my favorite college football quote of all time applies here:"It ain't so much the x's and the o's, it's the Jimmys and the Joes"Barry SwitzerIf we are going to win a Big 12 championship, we have to continue the close the talent gap.Hopefully, today is another step in that direction.
February 4, 2009 at 6:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rockchalk80 (anonymous) says...
hahahahaha.... "It ain't so much the x's and the o's, it's the Jimmys and the Joes"that is classic... I live in Oklahoma, I haven't heard that one.... On point...Congrats to the coaching staff...
February 4, 2009 at 6:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
drgnslayr (anonymous) says...
Coach Mangino is a God! KU better do whatever is necessary to make sure he stays here... and give him anything he needs to continue his advance of KU football.
February 4, 2009 at 6:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Rivethead (anonymous) says...
Wow. No mention of our new facilities and their impact on recruiting.....seems to be a glaring oversight in this article. I bet you our facilities had a hell of a lot more to do with recruiting success this year than a bowl game we won two years ago.Thanks Lew for making it happen!
February 4, 2009 at 7:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jayhawkinatl (anonymous) says...
Come on, McDougald...make it happen, baby!!!!
February 4, 2009 at 7:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jnewell (Jesse Newell) says...
jayhawkinatl — http://www2.kusports.com/news/2009/fe...
February 4, 2009 at 7:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KU (anonymous) says...
With McDougald signing we might end up in the Top 25.....assuming everybody else stays committed. I can't wait for August. Williams Fund donation......check (Gotta have that to get a decent parking spot)Season ticket renewal.......checkGood friends.......checkGood food.......checkCold drinks......checkI'm all set.
February 4, 2009 at 8:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
whitechocolate (anonymous) says...
With the latest signing, Rivals now puts KU at No. 28.
February 4, 2009 at 8:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jayhawker85 (anonymous) says...
Previous four-star recruits to commit to Kansas under Mangino:Nathan D'Cunha (2008)Jocques Crawford (2008)Ryan Murphy (2007)Anthony Webb (2006)Rodney Allen (2005)Brandon Duncan (2005)Gabe Toomey (2003)Monroe Weekly (2003)Cory Kipp (2002)It's hard to get excited about Rivals.com's stars. If those stars meant anything then we'd probably still see Bill Callahan as the coach of Nebraska.KU is ranked 28th overall with McDougald. Missouri is ranked 36th... According to rivals.com.These recruits aren't that big of deal because of their stars and what a website rated them at, but what is impressive is the schools these kids were turning down to come to KU (Florida, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, and on...)
February 4, 2009 at 8:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lance1jhawk (anonymous) says...
Its a good day to be a Jayhawk Fan!I can remember sitting in the stands with a few friends and family, seemingly by ourselves loosing game after game and wondering if KU could ever win 6 games a season and go to a bowl. Now look at us. All those memories of awful football are being replaced with bowl trophies and victories. Thankyou Head Coach Mark Mangino.Even though my wife and I don't live in the area anymore, we will still be renewing our season tickets and making the drive back for all the games. Now our family and friends have grown, just like our expectations for "The Program".Amazing!
February 4, 2009 at 8:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mdfraz (anonymous) says...
jayhawker, I hope your message was more a cautionary note (which I think it was) than an attempt to be a downer. You are right that stars alone don't make great players. Some of those highly touted guys won't pan out, some may not get through school, and some of the lower recruited guys may turn out to be studs (see Talib and Collins). However, as spring noted, we need to close the talent gap in order to have a chance at beating OU and UT on any kind of consistent basis. If we want to go to the next level, that's our next step. Beating those teams, winning conference championsips, consistent top 25 rankings, getting to and winning more BCS bowls, all those things require talent and hard work. We've had the hard work in place for several years, now we add a bit more talent.You are right that the schools that we beat out for some of these recruits is VERY impressive, and that excites me greatly. In addition, I believe that MM wouldn't go after too many kids if they aren't willing to buy into the "team" mentality and work their butts off. So, talented, highly sought after players who are willing to work in Mangino's system......who knows where we can go from here????rock chalk!!!!!!!!!
February 4, 2009 at 9:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sevenyearhawk (anonymous) says...
Ya gotta love the fact that it's early February and there's already (or still) all this hype about Kansas football ...especially considering the basketball team is undefeated in conference!"... those days are over of just being one dimensional." - Coach Mark Mangino
February 4, 2009 at 9:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Timmay97 (anonymous) says...
After looking through the Rivals website, I actually checked the team recruiting rankings based on player position. Check out KU's rank at DE and DB positions. We are ranked #7 (or so) in those particular positions. KU will be fine next year offensively, as they are getting back pretty much everyone of significance. It's the defensive side of the ball that we need the help. We are getting two 4 star DB's and that's clutch by Mangino. I think the only place KU needs more athletically skilled players is the linebacker position. I feel pretty good about this teams chances next year if our young guys step and contribute early.
February 4, 2009 at 9:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jayhawker85 (anonymous) says...
mdfraz--not trying to be a downer at all. These four-star recruits may or may not turn out to be the best players from this recruiting class, but the fact that these four star guys had more offers and better offers than guys in the past says something. Before, every player was some player that was looked over (Talib was rated as a two-star and only other serious offer was Wyoming).I was reading on the KC Star's article about this recruiting class and one kid they got (Tyrone Sellers) was the Gatorade Playor of the Year in Nebraska!!! Tom Osbourne head must be spinning over that one.But as for what some website rates players at is questionable. With four stars, you don't know whether you're getting Larry Fitzgerald (four-star recruit) or Anthony Webb.
February 4, 2009 at 9:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mdfraz (anonymous) says...
I agree totally jayhawker. I take the ratings with a grain of salt b/c 1) they aren't always right when they evaluate a kid, and 2) kids can progress much more rapidly in college than expected, or they can backslide, or get in trouble, or flunk out of school, etc. However, all I've been trying to say throughout the last couple months is that I'd rather bring in the more "talented" kids as long as they are willing to work hard, b/c no matter how hard a kid works, he can't go from running a 4.8 to a 4.4. Gotta have some attributes that are just God given if you want to beat Oklahoma and Texas. Of course, you have Aqib Talib who was a two star, so it happens, but I'll take my chances with the 3 and 4 stars more often. It's no coincidence that the teams that win their conferences and BCS games on a regular basis are in the top 10 or 20 or recruiting every single year. A great recruiting class (and this is, by all accounts, a great one) doesn't guarantee success by any stretch, but it raises the ceiling I think.
February 4, 2009 at 10:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KUballer (anonymous) says...
Man it seems like USC is in the running for pretty much every top recruit that's still unsigned. Are there any other 4 or 5 star recruits considering KU?
February 4, 2009 at 10:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mdfraz (anonymous) says...
baller, I think we are pretty much done with our 24 guys. I don't know of any 4 or 5 stars looking at us. I don't think, other than McDougald, that we were in the running for any of them except for Pritchett, but I think we backed off him a while back. I'm pretty happy with where we are right now. Great recruiting class. Hope we develop them like we've developed the players over the past several years.
February 4, 2009 at 11:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Jaminrawk (anonymous) says...
Whoo hoo! Not only did KU recruit some good looking talent, but they were able to keep them all the way to the fax machines. This is a great day in KU football history. This looks to only be the beginning to the upswing in KU football. Just think, in 2 years when some of these kids are starters, KU will be back to playing the weaker teams of the Big XII South again which will give them a couple of years to prepare for OU and Texas, when they will be Juniors or redshirt Sophomores. I'm excited.
February 4, 2009 at 11:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KUballer (anonymous) says...
Alright.I'm happy with the class too.Maybe one day we'll be considered by the guys that go to the SEC schools and Oklahoma and Texas. We'll see.
February 4, 2009 at 11:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
K_Easthouse (anonymous) says...
I don't think it'll be easy for KU to get any 5-star recruits, and I'm a little surprised we've gotten as many 4-star recruits as we have.Most of those recruits figure they'll be going to the NFL eventually, and they'll want the biggest stage to showcase their talents. The media market for the Big 12 just isn't what the East Coast offers.Yeah, Texas teams usually do alright, in part to the culture of football they foster. Heck, I only saw one kid on the Rivals.com list NOT from Texas on No. 3 Texas's recruit list. And all of the Big 12 5-star recruits seem to come from that area. Seems we can't steal the top recruits from outside the area.If we manage to pull a coup and steal a 5-star recruit from one of the Texas schools out from under them, then that'll be great. Otherwise, I don't anticipate being able to recruit out of our media market terribly well. I'll settle for good coaching of our 4- and 3-star recruits anyway.
February 4, 2009 at 11:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KUballer (anonymous) says...
Yeah thats true, I think if the Orange Bowl win would have come a couple years soon then we would have been in the running for the kid from Wichita East. But we're new on the scene, so i don't expect much more than this year for the near future.
February 4, 2009 at 11:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
plasticJHawk (anonymous) says...
Someone tell me something about Justin Isadore. I just read that he switched his commit from TCU to Kansas. He looks like a legit linebacker prospect.
February 4, 2009 at 11:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lance1jhawk (anonymous) says...
Does anyone know if Bryce Brown signed with Miami or did he change his mind like some people thought he would?
February 4, 2009 at 11:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mdfraz (anonymous) says...
plastic that was completely unfounded. He has signed his LOI with TCU. End of story.
February 4, 2009 at 11:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mdfraz (anonymous) says...
Brown has not signed his LOI with Miami, and that's not totally unexpected. I believe I read somewhere that he was not planning on signing today at all. Sounds like an attention whore to me........
February 4, 2009 at 11:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lance1jhawk (anonymous) says...
mdfraz - I just did some searching and Brown looks like a problem child where ever he lands.http://810whb.com/scripts/archives/getStory.asp?article=18297
February 4, 2009 at 11:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mdfraz (anonymous) says...
Oh I've heard that about him on the internet and from people from the Wichita area. I'm not surprised or disappointed that MM didn't go after him. The talent is great, but we don't need cancers on our team.
February 4, 2009 at 11:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jhokfan (anonymous) says...
I take the rankings with a grain of salt as well. I believe the recruiting class that included Talib and Collins was ranked in the 70’s but if they were ranked after they graduated they might be a top 10 class. As stated earlier, look at the schools some of the recruits turned down.
February 4, 2009 at 12:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
TXlovesKU (anonymous) says...
Looks like a lot of our recruits are rated lower because of attention and schools. The guys we are getting (when rated 3 stars or less) just didnt get the pub some of the others got. Maybe late bloomers...who knows. I will give you a name of a 3 star recruit from last year that may be a pleasant surprise. Lubbock Smith at safety. Mark it down people. Stars are overrated. you guys said it best. Its coaching!
February 4, 2009 at 12:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
plasticJHawk (anonymous) says...
Thanks Fraz, rivals is showing that he signed with TCU but this article says he switched to Kansas.http://recruiting.scout.com/2/836094.htmlIt looks like scout got some bad information
February 4, 2009 at 12:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
crooner (anonymous) says...
“I’m ready,” said Opurum, who rushed for 873 yards and eight touchdowns as a senior. “Signing day is when I can get my workout stuff from KU and then also the playbook. So I’ll definitely have a lot to do.”I LOVE this attitude form our elite recruits. You have to love the attitude of anyone that wants to come in and contribute, but to see an incoming freshman talk about putting in the work to be a contributor (working out, studying the playbook) is a great sign of maturity. I just get a feeling that Toben will be a great addition to our program.
February 4, 2009 at 1:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mdfraz (anonymous) says...
I agree with your assessment crooner.plastic, there was talk of that on the message boards too, but I don't think scout knows what the he!! they are talking about most of the time. TX, Lubbock looks like he has the build and speed to be a contributor. Hope you are right. We need someone to step up after Stuckey graduates.
February 4, 2009 at 1:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
TXlovesKU (anonymous) says...
Any of you guys or gals plan on going to the spring game to see what we will look like next fall? I am counting down...
February 4, 2009 at 2:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
troutsee (anonymous) says...
You can say all you want about the stars given to recruits by recruiting services not making a difference and that success depends mostly on coaching...but there is a reason why the Oklahomas and Texases of the world are always good and it's not because of coaching. Coaching is huge but so is the talent. That is why in college ball recruiting is so terribly important. Mangino is a great coach and I'd take him over Bob Stoops any day. Give Mangino the talent that Texas and Oklahoma attracts and he'd have national championship contenders every year.
February 4, 2009 at 2:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ShazzyD (anonymous) says...
Yes it is mostly coaching. Not just Xs and Os but also teaching the players how to properly play their position. I think Mangino's staff has done a great job of taking mediocre prospects and turning them into good players. Now that the talent gap is closing we will be able to turn them into great players, because our coaches know how to teach. Some of the bigger programs (like Texas) are filled with five-star recruiting talent but that is also their weakness, because they rely on the physical abilities too much.What I like best about this recruiting class isn't the rivals rankings, but rather the positions we were able to get. Lots of defensive ends and defensive backs, plus a few new stud WRs. Mangino and staff are definitely betting the spread offense continuing to try to dominate the Big 12. They know the way to stop it is to load up on talent in the secondary and add a pash rush to the defense.My guess is that we are planning on playing a lot of nickel defense and dime defense in the next couple of years, so that is why we aren't loading up on LBs, although I am excited about Hulden Tharp's future.Don't expect to see all of these new recruits on the field next season. Any of them that Magino doesn't think can help us right away will most likely redshirt.
February 4, 2009 at 3:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dagger108 (anonymous) says...
Tanner Poppe (TE), Ryan Miller (OL), & Justin Aumen (OL) are KS players that are rated in the 70's on the ESPN board and undecided. Any word on where these guys are going? It would be good to keep the best players of the state at home, especially when the alternates (ksu, nu, mu, ou, osu) have them playing against us.
February 4, 2009 at 3:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theno1kufan (anonymous) says...
anyone know who has the best chance of starting next year? also, who does it look like is going to redshirt? too soon to tell?
February 4, 2009 at 3:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ShazzyD (anonymous) says...
theno1kufan,I doubt they will know which ones are going to redshirt until at least after the spring game. It makes the most sense to redshirt as many people as possible so that they are all a year older (bodies more developed) and wiser (a year of practicing) before they eventually graduate. But they will likely want play any true freshmen at our positions of need and anyone that that outstanding abilities. There is no point in redshirting someone who has the capability to leave for the NFL as soon as they are eligible.
February 4, 2009 at 3:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mdfraz (anonymous) says...
Poppe is a baseball player and will be doing that at KU. Probably won't play football at all. Aumen is not rated very highly according to rivals, which usually is better than scout, and last I checked his only offer was from Missouri St. Miller might be a nice get but I don't know if we've offered him. Check that on Miller, he is committed (not signed ) to S. Illinois. Not that it is the only indicator, but seeing what other schools are interested/offering a player is a good way to know how good he might be. None of the Big 12 schools made an offer.
February 4, 2009 at 3:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ShazzyD (anonymous) says...
I'm sure that we really need Poppe anyway with all the TEs we got in last years class. We had 3 good TEs come into last years class. You'll be seeing them on the field this coming fall I assume.http://insider.espn.go.com/ncf/recruiting/tracker/school?season=2008&schoolId=2305&page=commits
February 4, 2009 at 3:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ShazzyD (anonymous) says...
Correction: I'm *not* sure that we really need Poppe anyway
February 4, 2009 at 3:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
100 (anonymous) says...
Nice job as always KU coaches.As for the OU/ UT talent gap:Let's keep in mind the team KU beat two years ago on the road, is the same team who went to Austin with very little talent and...Beat UT.By 21.The talent gap is still there next year for OU and UT over the other Big 12 schools, but not as big with us finally. With the right gameplan, execution and passion from the players, we have all the cards we need to beat OU and UT.
February 4, 2009 at 4:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Tim23Kline (anonymous) says...
who cares what we are ranked....the stars mean nothing....mangino brings players who want to play and put in the hard work....james holt was a 2 star recruit....now look.
February 4, 2009 at 5:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
klong (anonymous) says...
AMEN Tim23Kline! Mangino is very good at maximizing talent. The thing is, he is getting better and better talent to do so. Rock Chalk baby!!!!!!
February 4, 2009 at 7 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Cmill1221 (anonymous) says...
Will people please stop giving Perkins credit for this! he has done nothing since he has gotten here! we have nice things because we are a respectable program now because we have a coach who was hired by a guy we fired to keep a coach who left. mangino is the reason we are good and recruiting well not lew perkins!!!!
February 4, 2009 at 9:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
TXlovesKU (anonymous) says...
You also cannot rate too many recruiting "experts'" opinions on some of these guys. Anyone realize that our 1st round pick from a year ago came in as a 3-star. Matt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) was a 3-star. troutsee you are right about some of what you said, but when it comes down to it, you see these kids who come in with a chip on their shoulder becasue Texas, Texas A&M, OU didnt recruit them and they perform at a really high level. It is a guessing game to say the least!
February 4, 2009 at 11:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kerbyd (anonymous) says...
Kansas State was just rated 95 by rivals.com. They were even lower than Troy.
February 4, 2009 at 11:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Kman_blue (anonymous) says...
jhokfan,KU's recruiting class with Talib and Collins was ranked #51 according to rivals, but your point remains. They would be a top 10 recruiting class if ranked now based on their accomplishments on the field.dagger108,Tanner Poppe (TE) has already accepted a scholarship to KU, but it's in baseball and as far as I know, he's not going to play football, only baseball
February 5, 2009 at 8:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jhokfan (anonymous) says...
I confess, I exaggerated for dramatic purposes.
February 6, 2009 at 12:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )