Mangino optimistic about next season

By Ryan Wood     Nov 23, 2004

It took all of 24 hours after the season was over before Kansas University football coach Mark Mangino started looking ahead.

After Saturday’s season-ending 31-14 victory over Missouri, Mangino said his players would vault into offseason workouts and spring drills with an extra hop.

But who will be in the mix?

Well, not David McMillan, Brandon Rideau, Travis Watkins, Joe Vaughn and Johnny Beck, for starters. Those players said farewell to college football Saturday.

“The senior kids, I’m so happy for them,” Mangino said. “They don’t get any more chances. Those guys left KU football in fine fashion.”

And with that, it’s time to look ahead.

In all, roughly nine players who saw extensive action on offense and defense are graduating, and the most noticeable hits come at wide receiver and on the defensive line.

The scout-team players expected to step right in include linebacker Mike Rivera, who saw time on special teams during KU’s non-conference slate before hurting his back. KU will petition to have this season count as a red-shirt year for Rivera, so the Shawnee native might be a freshman again.

“Mike Rivera,” Mangino said, “is going to be an awfully good player for us.”

Rivera will join a linebacker fleet that’s already stacked with Nick Reid, Gabe Toomey, Banks Floodman and Kevin Kane all returning next season.

Most of the scout-team freshmen were on offense, including quarterback Marcus Herford, running back Gary Green, fullback Jim Reuber and linemen Ryan Cantrell, Scott Haverkamp and Adrian Mayes.

With Rideau and Gary Heaggans both graduating, wide receiver might be a recruiting point of emphasis. No known wide receiver commitments have popped up yet, and Mark Simmons is the only significant full-time contributor at the position who is returning. Charles Gordon also plays receiver, though on a part-time basis due to his cornerback duties.

Defensively, KU needs immediate help on the line, with the graduation of Watkins, McMillan and Greg Tyree. The Jayhawks will have Jermial Ashley, Todd Haselhorst, Charlton Keith and James McClinton returning, while Anthony Collins has impressed Mangino on scout team. Caleb Blakesley, a defensive tackle from Ottawa who has committed to KU, could compete for playing time, too.

In addition, Mangino lauded the play of red-shirt Aqib Talib, who could add depth at cornerback.

So will it be enough? The Big 12 North could be wide open again next year. Can Kansas be a contender?

“Every season, the dynamics change,” Mangino said. “We’ll take the approach that we’re getting better. If you have the same scenario as this year, I’d definitely think we have a chance to be in the mix.”

  • McMillan honored: McMillan was named the Big 12 Conference defensive player of the week for his performance Saturday against Missouri.

It would’ve been tough to beat him. The Killeen, Texas native picked up three sacks that totaled negative-35 yards, added another tackle for a loss, forced a fumble and was credited with four quarterback pressures.

Rideau was the only other KU player to earn a weekly Big 12 honor. Rideau earned special teams honors after the opening week.

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