DL, 6-2, 295, LaVerne, Calif. (Damien/Citrus CC)
A 20-game starter for the Fighting Owls at Citrus Community College in Glendora, Calif. A two-time all-conference selection. Served as team captain his sophomore season. .Named to Max Emfinger’s Super 124 Bluechips. One of just 10 junior college defensive linemen named to Prep Star Magazine’s Super 75 listing. Collected 40 total tackles with 5.5 sacks, eight quarterback hurries, a forced fumble and an interception as a sophomore. Has two years of eligibility remaining. Coached in junior college by John Rome. A three-year letterman in football in high school. .A two-time all-league selection. Served as team captain his senior season. Also lettered in wrestling and track.
DB, 6-2, 205, Dickinson, Texas (Dickinson)
A talented athlete who was a standout in both football and track during his prep career at Dickinson High School. A two-time all-district and all-county selection in football for coach Gary Comer. Has uncommon speed. Also a two-year letter winner as a sprinter in track. Clocked at 10.36 over 100 meters.
DE, 6-4, 270, Killeen, Texas (Killeen/Blinn JC)
Named to Max Emfinger’s Super 124 Bluechips as a sophomore at Blinn Junior College. Had 48 tackles, three sacks and 11 tackles for losses. A standout at Killeen High School. .Credited with 82 total tackles and a school record 12 quarterback sacks, three blocked kicks (two he returned for TDs) and three caused fumbles his senior season. A first-team all-district and all-state selection. Rated as the No. 12 defensive prospect in the Big 12 region by Prep Star Magazine. .A three-year letterman in football and a two-year letterman in track. Coached in high school by Lee Bridges.
DB, 6-0, 190, Phoenix, Ariz. (South Mountain/Phoenix CC)
Credited with 51 total tackles, including a team-leading 21 solo tackles his sophomore season. .Also had three interceptions. Earned all-Arizona honors and all-conference recognition last year. Clocked at 4.3 seconds over 40 yards. Has experience as both a cornerback and free safety. Highly recruited his senior year at South Mountain High School.
OL, 6-5, 295, Hoisington
A first-team Class 3A all-state selection. A three-time all-Southwest Kansas choice. Regarded as one of the top prep prospects in the state by most recruiting services. A three-year letterman in football. Also lettered in track and basketball. An all-Midlands Region selection in Super Prep Magazine. Served as team captain his senior season. Operated as an offensive lineman and defensive end during his career.
DE, 6-6, 270, Rock Hill, S.C. (Rock Hill/Garden City CC)
Highly regarded junior college defensive lineman. Credited with 66 total tackles, two sacks and seven tackles for losses. An honorable mention all-America selection as a sophomore for the Broncbusters. Helped his team to a 10-2 record and the regular season conference championship. Joins Ervin Holloman and Roger Ross as one of three players from Garden City Community College. An all-region performer in high school. Also selected to the South Carolina Shrine Bowl all-star game. Listed as one of the top 50 players in the state. Recorded a season-best 15 tackles as a senior in one game.
OL, 6-5, 300, Westchester, Calif. (Westchester/West Los Angeles CC)
Highly regarded junior college prospect who will have three years of eligibility remaining. Spent just one season (1999) at West Los Angeles Community College and helped his team to an 6-4 record. Earned all-Western State Conference honors while playing tackle, guard and center last year for coach Rob Hagger. Grew up in Tulsa, Okla. Was an all-conference, all-area and all-city selection his senior year at Westchester High School. Helped his prep team to the conference championship as a junior and senior. Also earned all-area and all-city honors in track as a junior and senior. .A standout in the shot put competition. .Coached in high school by Larry Wein.
OL, 6-4, 275, Gilbert, Ariz. (Apache Junction/Mesa CC)
Operated on both sides of the ball as a two-year starter for Mesa Community College. Played a meaningful role in helping the Thunderbirds to a conference championship for two consecutive seasons. Coached at Mesa by David Rice. Earned all-state and all-conference honors his senior season at Apache Junction High School. Earned a combined eight varsity letters in football, basketball and track for the Prospectors. Also an all-conference selection in track as a senior. Coached in high school by Steve Neil.
DE, 6-4, 250, Booneville, Mo. (Vashon/Kemper Military JC)
Named to Max Emfinger’s Super 124 Bluechips. One of just 10 junior college defensive linemen named to Prep Star Magazine’s Super 75 listing. Earned a reputation as a standout pass rusher and run stopper.
DE, 6-4, 285, Wichita (Northwest/Garden City C.C.)
A consensus first-team junior college all-America selection. Named to the NJCAA All-America team. Credited with 58 total tackles, four sacks, three tackles for losses and two fumble recoveries. A first-team all-conference selection. Hampered early in the year with a leg injury. One of just 10 junior college defensive linemen named to Prep Star Magazine’s Junior College Super 24 listing. A roommate at Garden City with fellow KU recruit Roger Ross. Helped Garden City to a 10-2 record as a sophomore and the regular season conference championship.
QB, 6-2, 180, Waco, Texas (La Vega)
A two-time Class 3A all-state selection. Selected the Texas Class 3A player of the year as a junior. Also a two-time district offensive player of the year. Named all-district and all-Centex as a junior and senior. Passed for nearly 5,000 combined yards over his junior and senior seasons. Connected on 123 of 233 attempts for 2,003 yards and 23 touchdowns as a senior. .Passed for 2,930 yards and 27 TDs his junior season. A Super Prep Magazine all-midlands region selection. Rated No. 8 among Texas prep prospects in the Lone Star 100 listing. Selected to Max Emfinger’s Texas Top 125 listing. A Waco Tribune Top 50 football recruit. .Also a major college basketball prospect who averages 15 points a game. Plans on playing basketball, too. Coached in football by Willie Williams.
DB, 6-0, 175, Houston, Texas (Westbury)
An all-district selection his senior season. Ranked as the 84th-best player in Texas by Super Prep Magazine. An all-conference selection for Westbury High School. Coached by George Campbell.
OL/DL, 6-4, 255, Belle Glade, Fla. (Glades Central)
A unanimous all-conference pick and third-team all-state selection from one of the state’s top prep programs. A two-year standout for Central High School. A regular in the lineup for one of the top prep football programs in the state. Helped Central to a state championship as both a junior and senior. A three-year letter winner in football. Recorded a single-game high of 12 total tackles as a senior. .Coached by Milton Watson. .Also lettered in basketball and track.
QB, 6-5, 200, Iowa City, Iowa (West)
Led Iowa City West to 26 consecutive victories and two state Class 4-A football championships. A consensus all-state selection and an “elite” all-stater by the Des Moines Register. .Named his conference’s player of the year. Rated by Rivals100.com as the nation’s No. 24 high school quarterback. An all-America selection and ranked as the No. 4 quarterback in the midwest by Super Prep Magazine. Completed 61 of 122 passes for 1,040 yards and 11 touchdowns his senior year. Tossed just seven interceptions. Ran for 610 yards on 134 carries and caught two passes for 52 yards. .Passed for 2,178 yards and 21 touchdowns and also rushed for 1,185 yards and 22 TDs during his two-year career as a starter. .Lettered in basketball and track. Uncle (Kirby Criswell) lettered at KU as a defensive lineman from 1977-79. From the same high school as Jayhawk head coach Terry Allen.
RB, 6-1, 215, Houston, Texas (Episcopal)
Operated as both a tailback and linebacker and defensive end his senior season. Rushed for a team-best 1,589 yards in seven games last year. Accounted for more than 2,600 yards as a junior and senior. A two-time all-conference selection. A three-year lettermen in football. Played fullback his junior season and tailback his senior year. Also a two-time all-conference selection in track. Competed in the sprint events as a member of t he track team.
CB, 6-1, 190, Killeen, Texas (Killeen)
Talented athlete who excelled on both sides of the ball his senior season. Named first-team all-Central Texas and second-team all-district. An all-midlands region selection by Super Prep Magazine. Also earned his teams senior academic football award. .Lettered in both football and track for the Kangaroos. Coached in high school by Lee Bridges. .Credited with two interceptions as a defensive back. Joins David Winbush, Reggie Duncan, Jason Stevenson, Carl Ivey, David McMillan, and Demond Benford as past or current KU recruits from Killeen. Clocked at 4.4 seconds over 40 yards.
DE, 6-5, 250, Killeen, Texas (Killeen)
A former free safety who outgrew his position following his sophomore season. .Gained a reputation for his effectiveness as a pass rusher. Credited with six quarterback sacks as a senior. An all-midlands region selection in Prep Star Magazine. . Highly athletic performer who has good speed. Joins David Winbush, Reggie Duncan, Jason Stevenson, Carl Ivey, Johnny McCoy and Demond Benford as past or current KU recruits from Killeen.
Richard Pope
OL, 6-6, 295, Evanston, Ill. (Township)
Considered by some recruiting services as the best offensive line prospect in Illinois last season. Rated as one of the top 100 offensive linemen by Rivals100..com. A Super Prep Magazine pre-season all-America selection. Earned all-conference honors and named one of the top 20 players in the state. Ranked the No. 12 best player in Illinois by the Chicago Tribune. Hampered with torn ankle ligaments his senior season which limited him to just five games. Played offensive and defensive tackle. Credited with 30 tackles, four sacks and three tackles for losses. Selected all-Midwest Region by Super Prep Magazine. Earned nine letters over his prep career in football, track and basketball. Helped his team to a conference championship and a No. 3 national ranking by USA Today as a sophomore. Former high school teammate of KU outside linebacker Algie Atkinson. Coached by John Riehle.
WR, 5-7, 170, Denver, Colo. (Thomas Jefferson/Garden City CC)
A two-time all-conference selection at Garden City. Had 62 receptions for 1,016 yards and 11 touchdowns as a sophomore. The all-time leading receiver at Garden City. Ended his two-year career with 139 career receptions for 2,073 yards and 16 TDs. Listed No. 24 on Super Prep Magazine’s listing of the top 100 junior college prospects. Named to Max Emfinger’s Super 124 Bluechips. One of just 10 junior college wide receivers named to Prep Star Magazine’s Super 75 listing. A JC Grid-Wire honorable mention all-America selection. A roommate at Garden City with fellow KU recruit Ervin Holloman. Helped Garden City to a 10-2 record his sophomore season. Originally signed with KU as part of the 1998 recruiting class. Credited with 126 career receptions for 2,845 yards and 40 touchdowns during his prep career. .Hauled in 41 passes for nearly 1,000 yards and 15 TDs as a senior. Also had two punt returns for touchdowns and four interceptions as a defensive back. A two-time all-state selection and three-time all-conference choice. .Ranked as the top prep receiver in the state in yards, receptions and touchdowns as a senior. An all-America selection and ranked as the No. 5 wide receiver prospect in the Big 12 region by Super Prep Magazine.
RB, 5-11, 192, Lake Worth, Fla. (Lake Worth)
An all-around four-sport standout. Earned a combined 10 varsity letters during his high school career. Rushed for 1,159 yards his senior season. A third-team all-state selection. Also earned second-team all-district and first-team all-conference honors. Played running back and strong safety. Recorded a single-game best 212 yards and one TD as a senior. Clocked at 4.38 seconds over 40-yards. Coached in football by Gerald McCulley. Served as team captain and selected as one of the top 11 football players in the area by the Palm Beach Post. Selected to play in the Outback Steakhouse High School All-Star game. Named his team’s most valuable players as a junior and senior. Also a starting guard in basketball, sprinter on his school’s track team and volleyball lettermen. Also served as team captain in volleyball and track and earned team MVP honors in volleyball and track. Selected as his school’s representative at Boys State and the Space Academy. Active in student council and has served four years in his school’s ROTC program.
J.T. Thompson
WR, 5-10, 175, Kilgore, Texas (Kilgore)
Credited with 52 pass receptions for 1,004 yards and 11 touchdowns his senior season. Earned first-team all-state and all-district honors. .Also named all-district as a punt return specialist after averaging 10.2 yards and a TD on 232 returns. .Also averaged 14.4 yards on five kickoff returns. Accounted for 2,008 yards during his two-year prep career. .Has outstanding speed. Named to the Dallas Morning News top 100 list. .Listed at No. 44 on the Austin American-Statesman’s Fab 55. .Named all-midlands region by Super Prep Magazine. .Also lettered in track. Coached in high school by Mike Vallery.
LB, 6-2, 210, Phoenix, Arix. (Desert Vista)
A standout performer on one the top high school teams in Arizona. An all-region and all-state selection. Operated at both linebacker and fullback. Helped his team to a 26-1 record over the past two seasons in Arizona’s largest class. .Credited with 80 total tackles, 10 sacks and 12 tackles for loss. Also had one interception and 10 pass deflections. .Ran for 240 yards on 42 carries (5.7 yards per carry) with six touchdowns. An all-west region selection and rated as the No. 15 player in the state by Super Prep Magazine.
PK/P, 5-11, 210, Liberty, Mo. (Liberty)
Averaged 41.8 yards per punt his senior year. Also had nine field goals with a 33-yard average. .Averaged 59.3 yards per kickoff. .All-conference first-team kicker and punter. First-team all-Metro punter. A three-year letterman in football for coach Dan Anderson. Helped his team to the conference and district championship as a junior and senior. Listed as the best kicker in the midwest region by Mo Kan recruiting service and the sixth-best kicker in the country according to Rivals100.com recruiting. Won the longest-punt contest at Notre Dame’s kicking camp and also won the longest field goal contest at the Ray Guy Kicking camp last summer. Coached in high school by Dan Anderson.
LB, 6-3, 215, Dallas, Texas (Kimball)
Athletic defensive line prospect from an highly successful prep program. Collected 11 quarterbacks sacks and 65 total tackles. Earned all-district honors in helping his team to an 8-4 record, including the second round of the state playoffs in the state’s toughest district. .Also saw limited action at tight end as a senior.
DL, 6-4, 280, Derby
One of the most highly recruited linemen in the midwest region. Selected for all-American honors and rated as the No. 12 defensive linemen in the midlands region and the 41st best player by Super Prep Magazine. A first-team Class 6A all-state and all-conference honoree on defense. Credited with more than 60 total tackles and 13 tackles for losses. Rated as the top lineman in the midwest region by Mo-Kan recruiting service.
LB, 6-4, 240, Denison, Texas (Denison/Fort Scott CC)
Earned all-Jayhawk Conference honors last season after collecting 63 total tackles, including 7.5 quarterback sacks and 20 tackles for 110 yards in losses. .Selected to Max Emfinger’s Super 124 Bluechips. One of 10 junior college defensive linemen named to Prep Star Magazine’s Super 75 listing. Clocked at 4.6 seconds over 40 yards. A three-year lettermen at Denison High School. Helped the Yellowjackets to the Class 4-A state championship game for three consecutive years. Earned second-team all-state honors and named to the Texas Top 100 list. Recorded a one-game high of six sacks his senior year. Coached in high school by Bob Brown.
LB, 6-2, 222, Baytown, Texas (Lee/Blinn CC)
Regarded as one of the top defenders in junior college last season. An NJCAA first-team junior college All-America selection. Also a first-team All-Conference choice. The only unanimous defensive selection on the all-Southwestern Conference team. A product of one of the top junior college programs in the country. Credited with 62 total tackles, three sacks and five tackles for losses. Joins Demond Benford as one of two recruits from Blinn Junior College. Named to Max Emfinger’s Super 124 Bluechips. One of just nine junior college linebacker’s named to Prep Star Magazine’s Super 75 listing.
