Calisthenics had barely concluded before a sense of urgency could be detected from linebackers coach Bill Miller and his ten practicing players.

“You’ve got to get pissed off!” he shouted among other, more colorful counsel at the start of last Friday’s position drills.

Two sets of linebackers faced the other as each rotated, charging head-on, to meet the other and simulate an open-field tackle. One bad step or a head down instead of up would instantly draw Miller’s ire. Face turning red, he shouted at the pair to line up again until they got it right.

If Miller and his linebackers are preparing at a more hastened pace than usual it is likely because that the unit has five months left to fill a void that hasn’t existed for three years. Linebackers James Holt, Joe Mortensen and Mike Rivera have moved on, taking with them 288 tackles from a year ago.

Among this year’s group are a converted fullback and running back, two players who had more than 15 tackles last year and one player who started a game in 2008.

But a position that has had each of its top players lead the team in tackles over a three-year span, as 2008’s senior trio did, makes it tough for anyone else to gain much experience. Sophomore Justin Springer had a career-best eight tackles against Oklahoma before a torn ACL against Kansas State cut his season short — he won’t be ready to practice until August. Junior Arist Wright finished the year with 33 tackles and started against Sam Houston State and Iowa State.

While experience is still to be gained by this unit, coach Mark Mangino has already noticed their initiative.

“One of the things right now I like about that position is the intensity and tempo that we’re getting out of those kids,” Mangino said. “You can see they’re playing at a fast tempo and we need that.”

Friday’s first-team linebacker corps saw walk-on freshman Steven Johnson at middle linebacker with Wright and junior Jake Schermer on each side.

Junior Angus Quigley, who moved to linebacker from running back during last December’s Insight Bowl practices, continues to work with the second-team defense as he learns a playbook — not exactly light reading.

“He’s learning,” Mangino said. “Our defense here is fairly complicated. That’s why we’ve been pretty good over the years, because they give you a lot of looks.”

OFFENSIVE LINE

COMING TOGETHER

Linebacker isn’t the only spot that has three key holes to fill. Center Ryan Cantrell and guards Adrian Mayes and Chet Hartley are now gone after starting every game in 2007 and 2008.

The only two starters remaining from 2008’s offensive line are freshmen right tackle Jeff Spikes and Jeremiah Hatch, who has since been moved from left tackle to center.

“I think that Hatch is getting better,” Mangino said. “That’s a natural position for him.”

In Hatch’s place is redshirt freshman Tanner Hawkinson, who came to Kansas as a defensive end, converted to tight end and has since moved to a position his coaches are counting on translating into years of success. When Mangino informed reporters of the transition at a press conference last month, he remarked that the 6-foot-6, 260 pound Hawkinson could become the school’s next great left tackle. Sophomore defensive end Jake Laptad, Hawkinson’s new sparring partner this spring, has been able to offer a firsthand scouting report.

“He’s developing very good,” Laptad said. “He’s going to be a good player for us if he keeps putting on that weight and gets his steps and technique down. He’s really strong.”

Sophomore Sal Capra lined up at right guard for the first-team offense while freshman John Williams appeared at left guard and took little time earning an endorsement from his coach.

“He’s going to be a starter if he keeps up at this pace,” Mangino said. “He’s a powerful guy that is really quick and just needs to learn.”

— — Edited by Susan Melgren