The departure of defensive coordinator Bill Young has Kansas looking for a replacement. If the Jayhawks decide to promote from within, the list of candidates includes co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach Clint Bowen, linebackers coach Steve Tovar and cornerbacks coach Je’Ney Jackson. Bowen has worked in various capacities on the Kansas coaching staff for nine seasons after playing at Kansas for three seasons. Bowen served as co-defensive coordinator with Young for the past two seasons in addition to coaching the safeties. Tovar just completed his first season coaching at Kansas after spending a season as an assistant for the Miami Dolphins. Jackson worked as the Jayhawks’ strength and conditioning assistant for two seasons before making the jump to cornerbacks coach before the 2007 campaign. Kansas is also in need of a wide receivers coach after Tim Beck left for Nebraska earlier this month.

»According to recruiting Web site www.rivals.com, junior college offensive player of the year Jocques Crawford verbally committed to Kansas over the weekend. The 6-foot-1, 220-pound running back originally committed to Texas Tech but backed out and later chose Kansas. Crawford, who will be a junior in the 2008 season, ran for 1,935 yards and 19 touchdowns last season at Cisco Community College in Texas.

»Three former Jayhawks made the trip to Houston for last week’s East-West Shrine Bowl, but only two participated. Former Kansas wide receiver Marcus Henry and running back Brandon McAnderson both played for the West team. Henry caught one pass for nine yards.

Defensive tackle James McClinton had a seizure early last week, forcing him to miss the game. The West defeated the East 31-13, in the exhibition that many players use as a showcase for professional scouts leading up to the NFL Draft.