Season offers fresh start for players

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Freshman close to earning starting spot

After losing all three starting linebackers from last season, the competition to fill those vacant positions has drawn considerable media and fan interest this offseason.

Coach Mark Mangino hinted that 6-foot-1, 215-pound, Mulvane freshman Huldon Tharp is on the verge of earning one of the available starting spots.

Lueken left program for own reasons

Mangino said Tuesday that sophomore Ben Lueken left the football program to pursue outside opportunities. Mangino said that health concerns with Lueken were taken into consideration but that those concerns weren’t the reason for his departure.

“He told me he wanted to do something else,” Mangino said. “I’m in favor of him doing that. I think he just wanted to get a fresh start somewhere.”

Lueken was involved in an offseason incident with former running back Jocques Crawford, who also left the program before the season started. The details of the case haven’t been completely revealed.

What is known is that Lueken was injured in an incident involving a car in April and that his status with the team was unclear from that point on.

Offensive line still not set

One of the biggest areas of uncertainty coming into the season is still filled with question marks.

Sophomore Jeremiah Hatch is a lock at center, while sophomore Jeff Spikes and redshirt freshman Tanner Hawkinson appear to be slotted as starters at the offensive tackle positions.

Mangino said competition is still ongoing.

“I know this: that we are going to have more than five quality offensive linemen,” Mangino said. “How is actually plays out, I think we have some time yet.”

Meier looking for triple-digit catches

Senior Kerry Meier acknowledged at Kansas’ media day Tuesday that his goal this season was to haul in 100 passes. Meier had 97 catches and 1,045 yards receiving last year.

“I’m somebody that strives to be perfect and I’m nowhere near perfect, but I come out striving to be there,” Meier said. “If I should catch 100 balls, you know, great. If Dezmon should catch 100 balls, even better. I’m there to lead this team and take this Jayhawk program where it hasn’t been.”

Junior college transfer missing practice

Mangino said junior Vernon Brooks, a late addition to Kansas’ recruiting class, has temporarily left the team to handle family matters back home.

Brooks was recruited from Blinn College by Oklahoma and Tennessee, among others, but selected Kansas for the chance at early playing time.

“I can’t give you a time when he will be back,” Mangino said. “He has some family issues that he is tending to, and I just can’t tell you what impact or any at all that he would have. The more a new transfer is out of camp, it is very difficult to get into the groove.”

— — Edited by Lauren Cunningham

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