Je’Ney Jackson, strength-and-conditioning coach for the Kansas University football program, referenced one such recent moment to make a point about the first teammate to lend the exhausted player a hand.

“We were doing stadium stairs, and one of the offensive linemen was struggling coming down,” Jackson said. “Daniel Wise and another defensive lineman were up there helping this guy down, which made me just get on the offensive line: ‘Why are defensive linemen helping the offensive lineman down? That should be the offensive lineman there.’ But that’s how Wise’s attitude has been. If that continues, wow, is he going to help us.”

Jackson cited that as just one of many reasons he selected Wise as the team’s Workout Warrior of the Week. The recipient of the recognition will be featured each Monday throughout summer conditioning.

Most weeks, Kansas will have 6 a.m. conditioning on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

Richard Gwin

“This week was a hard week. We went four days straight this week, and we did some hard stuff,” Jackson said. “And he (Wise) just destroyed it.”

A 6-foot-5 third-year sophomore defensive tackle from Lewisville, Texas, Wise weighed in at 288 Friday, up 17 pounds from a year ago. He successfully has added weight and improved his conditioning, not an easy juggling act.

“Today, he was truly, truly unbelievable,” Jackson said Friday of Wise. “We did stadium stairs today. He was the only defensive lineman who was sprinting up the stairs every time. A lot of those guys, they’re 300 pounds, they have to walk at some point because they’re so fatigued. Not one time did he do that. I’m really proud of him.”

Daniel is one of three Wise men brought up by Deatrich Sr. and Sheila Wise who will play college football this season. Deatrich Jr. is a starting defensive end for Arkansas. Redundantly named Solomon Wise is a freshman D-end at Texas-San Antonio.

Given his parents’ background, it’s no surprise that a Wise brother would stand out during a portion of the year that demands great discipline and tolerance for the agony that comes with such intense training. Deatrich Sr. played defensive line for Jackson State University, and Sheila has been in the military for more than 20 years. Deatrich coaches middle-school football and helped out with the high school teams for which his sons played.

Richard Gwin

During the break from the end of spring football to the beginning of conditioning, Daniel worked out daily with his brothers.

“We’d run, lift, do drills,” Daniel said. “We don’t take any time off. No time to sleep. Can’t afford to. I had that attitude all break. Can’t sleep, gotta eat.”

Wise said conversations with his mother about her boot camps helped him bring the right attitude.

“She said it’s tough,” Wise said. “(She said) just bring that get-through attitude, go to attack it, attack the day. She’s been through it 20-plus years, and she’s still doing it. She loves her job, too.”

Wise’s Friday included running a leg on the five-man winning relay team, which earned the blue team 500 points. Six different groups, each wearing a different color T-shirt, are tracked in categories that range from academics to punctuality to conditioning.

“We started off with Taylor Martin,” Wise said of the 20-yard legs. “He handed off to me. I handed off to Ke’aun Kinner. He handed off to Joe Gibson, who handed off to Osaze Ogbebor.”

Wise recounted the victory with pride and a smile. During an intense, fast-paced, 45-minute lifting period, Wise maintained positive body language throughout.

“You can’t dread it,” Wise said. “You’ve got to get it done. You’ve got to find a way to enjoy it. You’ve got to find something to enjoy out of the hell. I just think about how it’s going to pay off. Do the work now. Hate it now, but love it during the season when you see the results.”

Wise played in 12 games last season, started seven and totaled 26 tackles and 3.5 sacks. Solid season, but not what he’s looking for this year.

“I have some goals. I try to keep them a little personal,” Wise said. “I write them on my wall. When I reach my goal, I make it higher.”

Coming off an 0-12 season, Kansas is picked for last in the Big 12, and Las Vegas oddsmakers have set the team’s over/under for victories at 1.5.

“We’ve got a lot of surprises,” Wise said from an office in the weight room. “A lot of guys are hungry and eager to get after it, especially after the season we had last year. It all starts in here.”