“Every day, coach tells us we’re blue-collar workers,” Keith said. “We’re used to it.”

Talk of Kansas University’s football defense most immediately centers on the strong linebacking corps or preseason All-America defensive back Charles Gordon.

Meanwhile, Keith and the rest of the KU defensive linemen remain mostly overlooked from an outsider’s perspective.

Though not headliners now, the Jayhawks’ front four have the capability to become just that, according to Kansas coach Mark Mangino.

“Our defensive line is going to be pretty good,” Mangino said. “I don’t like to make predictions, because when you do that you always end up with egg on your face, but I think our defensive line will be among the best in the Big 12 Conference.”

Though it may seem like a lofty goal, defensive end Jermial Ashley said it was not one the unit was going to back down from.

“If, at the end of the season, if that’s what it is, that’s what it is,” Ashley said. “I know we’re going to go out and play hard all the time. Everything else will take care of itself.”

Both Ashley and Keith are experienced returners from an effective pass-rushing defense that recorded 25 sacks a year ago.

Ashley, who was an honorable-mention All-Big 12 selection last season, started all 11 games at defensive end after transferring from Tyler Community College.

Keith recorded three sacks in a reserve role last season and will look to replace the big shoes vacated by graduated senior and first-team All-Big 12 lineman David McMillan. Playing at 215 pounds last year, Keith has bulked up to nearly 240 through strength training this summer.

The Jayhawks also will have greater depth at the end position with newcomers Rodney Allen and Paul Como.

Allen, who recorded 10 sacks last season at Garden City Community College, has been cited by Mangino as an impact player.

Defensive coordinator Bill Young said he also had been impressed with the upside of the 6-foot-3, 275-pound lineman.

“He’s extremely talented,” Young said. “He may have as much physical talent as anybody we’ve had here.”

Meanwhile, Kansas coaches view Como as a very capable reserve. A transfer from Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, Calif., the 6-2 Como should get plenty of playing time.

“He’s playing quite a bit as a backup,” Young said. “We’ll roll him in to play some, and he has a chance to push those other guys.”

Fifth-year senior Tim Allen returns as a starter at defensive tackle, with sophomore James McClinton also in the mix for a starting spot.

McClinton played in six games for Kansas a year ago.

“He had a tremendous spring,” Young said, “and that’s carried into the fall.”

Coaches also are excited about transfer Wayne Wilder, who was second-team all-conference at Garden City Community College last season.

“We expect Wayne to help us at defensive tackle,” Mangino said. “He’s a big, strong guy. He’s quick, and he can jump to the ball.”

Eric Butler, a 300-pound tackle from Leawood, also should contribute to Kansas’ interior line.

With the added talent, coaches are not shy about their expectations for the defensive unit.

“We are much, much improved over last year,” Young said. “We’re bigger, we’re more physical, and we’re faster. Plus, we’re a veteran group. We’ve got somebody that’s played in a ballgame at every position, and that’s a nice situation.”

Still, Keith said the front four weren’t feeling the pressure – maybe because, right now, the coaches are the only ones talking about them.

And that’s OK, at least for now.

“We have a lot of work to do, but we could have the best defensive line in the Big 12,” Keith said. “If everybody pays attention in meetings, learns about fundamentals and lets their talent come together with the fundamentals, then we’ll be a great defensive line.”