THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2013
PAGE 3B
Signing day spells defensive improvement
FOOTBALL
FARZIN VOUSOUGHIAN
fvousoughian@kansan.com
Kansas coach Charlie Weis went into signing day with 11 guaranteed commits and gained 14 more on Wednesday. The Jayhawks have 25 signees and one walk-on, giving them a total of 26 recruits.
Weis will work with his 18 junior college transfers, and he's excited to see the players work together. With two defensive linemen and four defensive backs graduating from the 2012 squad, several starting spots on defense will be up for grabs. Kansas may see some of its junior college transfers start and make an impact right away.
"You could have a whole bunch of starters coming out of that
group," Weis said. "I think that so many of those guys on defense are going to be playing. Personnelwise, the overall on defense is going to be dramatic. I think it's going to be solid for years."
Among the 26 recruits, defensive lineman Maruel Combs is the biggest name. Coming out of Pierce College, Combs is the No.1 rated junior college prospect in the country by ESPN. Kansas also recruited defensive lineman Chris Martin from City College of San Francisco. Both Combs and Martin are tabbed as four-star players, according to Rivals.com and ESPN.
Although Weis is thrilled to have two high-rated players in Combs and Martin, player ratings are the last thing on his mind. He's more eager to see all 26 of his recruits put on pads and helmets with a Jayhawk uniform on top.
"There's so many of them," Weis said. "It really wouldn't do justice to single out anyone. Each and every one of these kids right here, I'm happy we have."
The five defensive linemen and four defensive backs recruited are all junior college transfers. One of those includes returning junior cornerback Dexter McDonald, who played last year with Butler Community College. Weis sees McDonald's second stint as a Jayhawk being a more memorable one with plenty of opportunities for him in 2013.
some," Weis said. "He has a greater appreciation for where the program is right now and really believes that he can contribute both on and off the field."
Weis said with this recruiting class, it allows the defense to work with quarter and dime packages after being limited last year with the defensive backs.
"I think he's been humbled
Overall, Weis is hopeful that this recruiting class can improve the defense and help Kansas move into the right direction after winning only one game last season.
Kansas opens up its 15-practice spring schedule on March 5. The annual Spring Game will take place on April 13.
Edited by Kyle Crane
Closer look at the Jayhawk recruits
Jordan Darling
Sorian Darling
QB, 6-4, 226, FR, Overland
Park, Kan. / Shawnee Mission
Fact
Jordan Darling is the top rated Pro-style quarterback in the state of Kansas. Darling played in four different high schools in four years because his mom is in the military. Despite moving around so much, Darling is the only quarterback in high school history to pass for more than 1,000 yards in three different states (Ohio, Texas and Kansas) and to win in four different states (Missouri, Ohio, Texas and Kansas).
Montell Cozart
QB, 6-2, 180, FR, Kansas City,
Mo. / Bishop Miege
Kansas offensive line coach Tim Grunhard coached Montell Cozart at Bishop Miege for three years. After Grunhard's departure, Cozart played for Jon Holmes last year. Cozart now reunites with Grunhard in Lawrence. Cozart, a three-star quarterback, led Bishop Miege to the Class 5A State Football Championship in 2012. He threw for 2,759 yards and 25 touchdowns while rushing for 626 yards and five touchdowns during his senior year.
Colin Spencer
Colin Spencer
HB, 5-10, 180. FR, Dallas,
Texas / Woodrow Wilson
Marguis Jackson will go on medical red shirt and be replaced by Colin Spencer. Spencer rushed 54 times for 405 yards and five downs as a senior.
Ngali Fusimalohi
OL, 6-3, 300, JR, Daly City,
Calif. / CC of San Francisco
Ishmael Hyman
WR, 6-0, 170, FR, Manalapan,
N.J. / St. John Vianney
Ngalu Fusimalohi blocked for an offense that averaged 40.2 points per game and averaged 452.1 yards per game last season. He was part of an NICAA National championship win in 2011.
Ishmael Hyman is the No. 21 prospect from the state of New Jersey. He was named the MVP of the Chesapeake Bowl after scoring two touchdowns and helping the North Team win. 38-13
Zach Fondal
OL, 6-5, 290, JR, Pasadena,
Texas / Navarro College
Mark Thomas
Chris Martin
DL, 6-4, 26J, JR, Oakland,
Calif. / CC of San Francisco
Mark Thomas
WR, 6-0, 210, JR, Garden City,
N.Y. / Nassau CC
Zach Fondal helped Navarro College finish No. 4 in NJCAA poll in 2012. He blocked for an offense that set the school record with 521 points scored in
12 games
Standing at 6-0, Mark Thomas has rare speed for someone his size and fills a big void Kansas was missing last year. He caught 26 catches for 285 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Joey Bloomfield,
OL, 6-6, 305, FR, Louisville, Ky.
/Ballard
Andrew Bolton
DL, 6-3, 280, JR, Raymond,
Miss. / Hinds CC
Ben Johnson is ranked the No. 4 prospect in the state of Kansas by ESPN and No. 6 by Rivals. Weis said Johnson reminds him of Kyle Rudolph, who he coached at Notre Dame
Weis is elated to have Rodriguez Coleman in Kansas. Coleman was one of the top junior college receivers after he had in 70 receptions for 1,055 yards at Garden City Community College.
Weis said he was surprised that Andrew Bolton was ranked 91st and thinks he plays better than a 91st rated junior college player. He will help add strong depth at the line.
Ty McKinnev
Ben Johnson
TE, 6-5, 230, FR, Basehor, Kan.
/ Basehor Linwood
Although the Associated Press named Joey Bloomfield First Team All-State in 2012, Weis liked that he won his team's Character award, something that is needed on a team.
As a four-star rated prospect, Chris Martin made his presence known up front after making 65 tackles and 4.5 sacks last season. Has a great chance to start right away.
needed on a team.
Rodriguez Coleman
WR, 6-3, 195, JR, Cincinnati,
Ohio / Garden City CC
Marquel Combs
DL, 6-3, 310, JR, Memphis,
Tenn. / Pierce College
Cassius Sendish DB, 6-2, 185, JR, Waldorf, Md. / Arizona Western College
DL, 6-3, 310, JR, Weatherford, Texas / Trinity Valley CC
After sitting out the 2011 season, Cassius Sendish was credited with 10 pass breakups and 10 tackles for a loss.
Kellen Ash
LB, 6-3, 194, FR, Manchester,
Mo. / Parkway South
Marquel Combs is a four-star prospect and the top-rated junior college player in the country. Weis said it is easy to see why he's ranked No. 1 because "he just dominates games."
Ty McKinney was set to join the football program in 2012, but his summer semester ended late and will make his debut as a Jayhawk in 2013.
As a senior, Kellen Ash had 13 sacks and one senior. Weis said he liked him from the beginning and he is the type of defender teams need in the Big 12.
Dexter McDonald DB, 6-1, 205, JR, Kansas City Mo. / Butler CC
Samson Faifili
Dexter McDonald returns to Kansas after spending last season with Butler Community College and has more opportunities this time.
Marcus Jenkins-Moore LB, 6-3, 210, JR, Louisville, Ky / Pierce College
SAMSHA RAIN
LB, 6-0, 240, JR, Taylorsville,
Utah / American River College
Michael Smithburg
Isaiah Johnson recorded eight interceptions during Iowa Western's undefeated season and can contribute right away.
Marcus Jenkins-Moore was one of the first recruits on board to sign with Kansas. He recorded 29 tackles, 3.5 tackles for a loss and a sack in eight games his first year at Pierce College.
Samson Fafili earned two letters playing linebacker at American River College after coming up with 114 tackles, nine tackles for a loss and 12 sacks in four years.
Isaiah Johnson
DB, 6-1, 210, SQ, Cary, N.C. /
IA Western CC
two years.
Michael Smithburg played a big role in helping Iowa Western Community College go 12-0 in 2012. Weis described Smithberg as a "tough, nasty" offensive lineman.
Kevin Short was named First Team All-Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference and First Team NUCAA All-American in 2012.
Trevor Pardula
P/K, 6-5, 210, JR, San Jose,
Calif. / De Anza College
Kevin Short
DB, 6-2, 185, JR, Florissant,
Mo. / Fort Scott CC
Michael Smithburg
OL, 6-3. 300, JR, Fairfield,
Iowa / Iowa Western CC
Trevor Pardula was an active kicker and punter for De Anza College. His presence could be important after Kansas
Honorable Mention in 2011.
Tedarian Johnson came away with eight tackles and two sacks in 2012. He was named Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges All-State Honorable Mention in 2011.
struggled on special teams.
Tedarian Johnson
DL, 6-3, 260, JR, Jackson,
Miss. / Hinds CC
Colton Goeas
LB, 6-2, 245, FR, Mililani,
Hawaii / St. Louis HS
Colton Goeas is a well-built pass-rusher and is ranked the No. 7 player in the state of Hawaii. His father, Leo, played in the NFL for the Chargers, Rams and
Michael Mesh
K, 5-10, 180, JR, Hutchinson, Kan,
/ Hutchinson Community College
Michael Mesh is a preferred walk-on who has an opportunity to compete as the main kicker for the Jayhawks. Mesh connected on 12-of-15 field goals in
2012.
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