For the first 20 minutes of Kansas football media day, the subject went untouched. After spending much of the spring attempting to gain insight into the quarterback position battle, it appeared the media had given up on trying to pry an answer from coach Mark Mangino.

A good portion of Mangino’s half-hour press conference was spent discussing facilities and rule changes instead of Kerry Meier and Todd Reesing. When the inevitable question finally arose, the coach’s answer was surprisingly illuminating.

“From spring to two-a-days, Reesing has probably advanced in his overall play a little bit more so than Meier has,” Mangino said.

In the spring, Mangino repeatedly said the two quarterbacks were on even footing in the race for playing time. Mangino’s media day comments made it clear that Reesing gained an early lead in the first few days of fall practices.

Despite Reesing’s head start, the competition is not over. Nearly three weeks remain until the Jayhawks’ Sept. 1 season opener against Central Michigan. Mangino said he and the coaching staff had not yet come to a decision on a number one quarterback but hoped to settle on a starter soon.

“I would imagine that before the first game they will make a decision so whoever is starting would know,” Reesing said. “Whenever they’re ready to make a decision, they’re ready. It’s kind of out of my hands.”

Meier, a sophomore, began last season as the starter. He was fairly successful in the first three games but missed the next three because of injury. He started five of the team’s final six games but his tendency to scramble outside of the pocket made him vulnerable and he suffered several more injuries.

“I’ve learned my lesson since last year,” Meier said. “You can’t run over everyone in college football. Injuries are part of the game, and you just take what you’re given.”

Reesing, also a sophomore, saw the first action of his career in a late-season 2006 game against Colorado. He replaced an ineffective Adam Barmann at halftime and led the Jayhawks to a comeback victory with 105 passing yards and 90 rushing yards.

Meier and Reesing certainly bring different styles to the table.

At 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds, Meier has the look of a star signal-caller. He is fast enough and possesses a strong-enough arm to run the diverse new spread offense designed by Kansas coaches. Reesing is listed generously at 5-foot-11 and 200 pounds. It was his improvisational style and quick feet that helped the Jayhawks defeat Colorado in October. Mangino said Reesing’s improved conditioning and arm strength helped him in the fight for the quarterback job.

“Reesing has made some strides,” Mangino said. “A lot of that has to do with him dropping 20 pounds and gaining a lot of strength. He’s zipping the ball with a lot more spin than he ever has.”

The competition between the two is heated but healthy. Meier and Reesing are close friends and share an apartment. Both quarterbacks said that although they had great respect for one another, winning the starting job was their first priority. Meier said he thought he possessed an edge in game experience, and Reesing said his own qualities as a leader and playmaker qualified him for the spot.

Though the quarterback controversy might seem detrimental to a team hoping to contend in the Big 12 North, many of the Jayhawks see it as a good thing. Throughout the spring, Mangino said that having two capable quarterbacks was a good problem. Junior cornerback Aqib Talib, one of the defenders who attempt to stop Reesing and Meier every day in practice, said both contenders had played well.

“You couldn’t even tell the difference if you didn’t look back there to see,” Talib said. “They both know the offense, they’re both throwing the ball good, and they’re both leading the offense.”

The players most directly affected by the competition could be the ones catching passes from Meier or Reesing. But senior tight end and team captain Derek Fine said either quarterback would have his vote of confidence.

“I don’t have a preference,” Fine said. “These quarterbacks all have the skills they need and I’m not worried about any of them at all.”

With precious few practices remaining before the 2007 season begins, time is drawing thin and the Kansas coaching staff will soon need to settle on a quarterback. Between now and the start of September, the situation could change. But for the first time in months, there is a frontrunner in the Kansas quarterback battle: Todd Reesing.

— Edited by Trevan McGee