Though no official word came from Kansas University, three junior-college players who already had given the Jayhawks their oral commitments — and a fourth who changed plans at the last minute — are known to have signed letters of intent Wednesday to play football for the Jayhawks next year and sent the proper paperwork to KU.
Various officials from the prospects’ junior colleges confirmed the signings, which will bring two junior-college All-Americans and two more in-state juco talents into KU coach Mark Mangino’s program. All four are expected to enroll in classes next month and begin workouts with the team at that time.
Minnesota West linebacker Eric Washington, Garden City defensive tackle Wayne Wilder and Butler County wide receiver Brian Murph all were known to have committed to KU prior to Wednesday, the first day mid-year juco transfers could sign with their new schools.
A fourth, Iowa Central offensive linemen Jacob Cox, told rivals.com that he canceled his planned official visit to Michigan State this weekend and instead signed with KU on Wednesday morning. Like the other three, Cox — an honorable mention All-American — plans to join the team in time for spring practices.
“I can’t wait to get there and get to working out,” Cox told Jon Kirby of rivals. “I want to hang out with the guys and build some cohesiveness and help KU out.”
All four signees play positions at which Kansas needs the most help.
Murph will try to fill in at receiver, where Brandon Rideau and Gary Heaggans finished their careers last month.
Cox could bolster an offensive line that may have to re-shuffle with the loss of center Joe Vaughn.
Wilder — a space-filling 300-pound defensive tackle — will try to soften the blow left by Travis Watkins’ departure in the interior of the defensive line.
| ¢ Jacob Cox, 6-5, 295, OL, Iowa Central CC¢ Brian Murph, 6-2, 190, WR, Butler County CC¢ Eric Washington, 6-2, 220, LB, Minnesota West CC¢ Wayne Wilder, 6-3, 295, DL, Garden City CC |
“He’s very solid. A big-time player,” former Garden City coach Bob Larson said of Wilder. “He’s a great-looking young man, very solidly put together. When he moves his feet and keeps his pads level, I don’t know if anyone can block him.”
Meanwhile, Washington — a second-team juco All-American at linebacker — could step in and fill the void left by Gabriel Toomey, who left the team with a year of eligibility left for undisclosed reasons, possibly health-related.
Identical to the path taken by current Jayhawk defensive end Charlton Keith, Washington originally signed with Minnesota, transferred to Minnesota West CC and now appears to be coming to Lawrence next month. His juco coach, Jeff Linder, confirmed Washington’s signing Wednesday.
Wednesday’s signees were the first four to sign with KU for the 2005 season and the only four known junior-college prospects who have chosen KU to this point. The Jayhawks have eight high school players who have given nonbinding oral commitments.
Several more prospects will visit Lawrence this weekend, the last big recruiting weekend of the calendar year.
National football signing day for those not transferring mid-year is Feb. 2.
