At the end of last season, the Kansas University football team’s receiving corps was bursting with upsides.
Junior Brandon Rideau’s hands had improved, and he finally was developing into the dependable target coach Mark Mangino had envisioned.
Sophomore Mark Simmons became one of the Big 12 Conference’s most feared deep threats.
Freshman Charles Gordon was the all-around X-factor who could keep defenses constantly on edge.
And the future of lithe 6-foot-5 freshman Moderick Johnson looked bright.
Now, with Gordon likely switching to defensive back and Johnson academically ineligible, only Rideau and Simmons remain. But the two Texans are ready to carry the load.
“I’m comfortable with Mark’s style of play, and he’s comfortable with mine,” said Rideau, a 6-4, 190-pounder from Beaumont, Texas. “We’ll just combine the two and work our magic.”
Both senior Rideau and Simmons, a 5-11, 175-pound junior from DeSoto, Texas, were key members of a thriving KU offense last season. Simmons led the Jayhawks in yards per catch (19.2) and tied Gordon for the team lead with 769 receiving yards. His seven touchdowns were also a team high and the third-best single-season total in school history.
Rideau’s numbers were solid, too, with 51 grabs, 677 yards and six scores. Gordon had 57 catches in 2003 and was the perfect fit in the slot.
It is not Gordon’s statistics the offense will miss, but his versatility.
“Charles is a great athlete who brought a lot of ability to our offense,” Rideau said. “What we want to do is try to use what he brought to mold us as a complete receiving corps, and with him on defense, we’ll just bring in somebody who can fill that void.”
Right now, the leading candidate is senior Gary Heaggans. Last season, his first on-field at KU since transferring from Purdue, Heaggans had three catches for 41 yards and a touchdown while playing in 12 of the 13 games. Heaggans’ increased playing time is not due to seniority but to a nose-to-the-grindstone offseason.
“Gary works so hard, and I mean he was at Purdue, so talent’s not an issue,” Simmons said. “When he shows up, people shouldn’t be shocked. He works like he’s not on the team, and he’s trying to make the team. It shows on the field every day.”
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Offensive coordinator Nick Quartaro wants the two veteran receivers to shed their typecast roles this fall.
“I think Mark Simmons is one of the fastest players on our team, and so is Brandon Rideau,” Quartaro said. “If Charles is going to spend some time on defense, Mark could emerge as an inside receiver as well. Mark brings that versatility where he can show you quickness and elusiveness on the inside as well as straight-ahead speed on the outside.”
Even if team stats fall off, Rideau and Simmons don’t plan to slow down. The pair, who have been close friends since Simmons arrived two years ago, are more than willing to shoulder extra pressure.
“We know now that, OK, they’re trying to break up the trio, so we’re just going to have to step it up,” Simmons said of Gordon’s absence. “We’re just going to have to get more yards, more catches and just take over.
“They have to cover everything, because I’m going to stretch them deep, and (Rideau’s) going to hit them over the middle. We’re going to give them some trouble.”
At the end of last season, the Kansas University football team’s receiving corps was bursting with upsides.
Junior Brandon Rideau’s hands had improved, and he finally was developing into the dependable target coach Mark Mangino had envisioned.
Sophomore Mark Simmons became one of the Big 12 Conference’s most feared deep threats.
Freshman Charles Gordon was the all-around X-factor who could keep defenses constantly on edge.
And the future of lithe 6-foot-5 freshman Moderick Johnson looked bright.
Now, with Gordon likely switching to defensive back and Johnson academically ineligible, only Rideau and Simmons remain. But the two Texans are ready to carry the load.
“I’m comfortable with Mark’s style of play, and he’s comfortable with mine,” said Rideau, a 6-4, 190-pounder from Beaumont, Texas. “We’ll just combine the two and work our magic.”
Both senior Rideau and Simmons, a 5-11, 175-pound junior from DeSoto, Texas, were key members of a thriving KU offense last season. Simmons led the Jayhawks in yards per catch (19.2) and tied Gordon for the team lead with 769 receiving yards. His seven touchdowns were also a team high and the third-best single-season total in school history.
Rideau’s numbers were solid, too, with 51 grabs, 677 yards and six scores. Gordon had 57 catches in 2003 and was the perfect fit in the slot.
It is not Gordon’s statistics the offense will miss, but his versatility.
“Charles is a great athlete who brought a lot of ability to our offense,” Rideau said. “What we want to do is try to use what he brought to mold us as a complete receiving corps, and with him on defense, we’ll just bring in somebody who can fill that void.”
Right now, the leading candidate is senior Gary Heaggans. Last season, his first on-field at KU since transferring from Purdue, Heaggans had three catches for 41 yards and a touchdown while playing in 12 of the 13 games. Heaggans’ increased playing time is not due to seniority but to a nose-to-the-grindstone offseason.
“Gary works so hard, and I mean he was at Purdue, so talent’s not an issue,” Simmons said. “When he shows up, people shouldn’t be shocked. He works like he’s not on the team, and he’s trying to make the team. It shows on the field every day.”
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Offensive coordinator Nick Quartaro wants the two veteran receivers to shed their typecast roles this fall.
“I think Mark Simmons is one of the fastest players on our team, and so is Brandon Rideau,” Quartaro said. “If Charles is going to spend some time on defense, Mark could emerge as an inside receiver as well. Mark brings that versatility where he can show you quickness and elusiveness on the inside as well as straight-ahead speed on the outside.”
Even if team stats fall off, Rideau and Simmons don’t plan to slow down. The pair, who have been close friends since Simmons arrived two years ago, are more than willing to shoulder extra pressure.
“We know now that, OK, they’re trying to break up the trio, so we’re just going to have to step it up,” Simmons said of Gordon’s absence. “We’re just going to have to get more yards, more catches and just take over.
“They have to cover everything, because I’m going to stretch them deep, and (Rideau’s) going to hit them over the middle. We’re going to give them some trouble.”