How The Weis Stole Commitments

After going 1-11 and o-for in the Big 12, the football season ended earlier for the Jayhawks than all 11 of their opponents this year. KU missed out on post-season play for the 4th straight year while the South Dakota State JackRabbits advanced deep into the FCS playoffs, and all ten of KU's Division 1 opponents made bowl games, giving KU the toughest schedule in all of college football, according to Phil Steele and Sagarin. KU fans are forced, once again, to utilize petty (or substantial, although I don't condone it) wagers or schadenfreude this bowl-season if they want to keep a vested interest. Or they could keep tabs on KU's recruiting class, but that can't be too good anyways... Despite obvious incremental improvement in all phases of the game, and 5 (if not 6) close, competitive losses, 2 blowout losses in the final two winnable games and inept quarterbacking and wide receiver play was more than enough buzzkill to scare off big-name recruits. Kansas wasn't supposed to win recruiting battles with anybody in the Big 12, much less 11-1 Kansas State. But they did. Shun the non-believer! But... how? Well, Weis, mean and green, milked every JUCO resource known to mankind from the day he took the job at KU, and his doggedness and resolution won over some of the best mid-year transfers in the country, pulling KU to the 32nd ranked class in the nation and anywhere from 4-6 in the Big 12, according to Rivals.com. Here are some of the presents that Weis has stolen and inked so far. I just hope they can fit under his tree!

Mountain Sick

Source: KU Sports

As the sun set on Milan Pusker Field in Morgantown, West Virginia, so too did it set on the Kansas Football season in a 59-10 dismemberment. The Jayhawks had shown pretty clear cut signs of improvement in flurries, but it concluded the final two games of the year losing 110-33 to the 8th and 9th teams in the conference: Iowa State and West Virginia. The offseason is upon us, but not before we relive this final drubbing again.

Even in a Time for Giving Thanks, I Still Hate Missouri

Source: Wichita Eagle

Just when I thought that the scene of college sports was steadfast—or at least stood on somewhat stable ground—news broke Tuesday that Maryland and Rutgers are both heading to the Big 10 (or 11, or whatever the hell it is now) Conference, sending a tumultuous shockwave throughout the nation. Suddenly, without any sign of rational thought, everybody stops what they are doing and craps themselves. Message boards explode. A.Ds lose control of their motor skills. Everybody just freaks out. For no reason.

Beaten Black and Blue

Source: KU Sports

On a crisp, November night in Lawrence, 23 seniors ran out of the tunnel and onto Memorial Stadium for the last time ever. A warm crowd greeted them as the Hawks came out for warmups, dressed in the traditional blue tops and white pants, and an even warmer bunch greeted them when they came out for kickoff dressed in all black, with blue trimmings, and most importantly: white helmets with the Jayhawk on the side. The stage was set for a Big 12 win, KU's first in 19 straight tries, but redshirt freshman Sam Richardson and the Iowa State Cyclone would have none of that, beating Kansas into submission on its home turf, 51-23.

A Game of Inches

Source: KU Sports

On an arid, dusty field somewhere in western Texas, the Kansas Jayhawks lost again. It was just another road loss in yet another long, losing season. But, if you will allow me to say otherwise, this one was different. Kansas found itself down 21-7 on the road in Lubbock, Texas, in the first half of play. It was a situation that Kansas has often been in during these past three years. Texas Tech had the ball, and was looking to go up three scores. They were going for the jugular. They were planning to pound the Jayhawks into the ground... but they didn't. They couldn't.

The Bear Necessities

Source: KU Sports

I should have known better. Last week, the Jayhawks put together a string of 4 quality quarters against the Texas Longhorns at home, but still lost in the waning seconds. They would have snapped a 16 game Big 12 losing streak, and a nearly 70 year drought since last beating UT. They played well enough to beat them-- well enough to beat a lot of teams in this conference (Baylor included)-- but still couldn't. I should have known that it would be a lot to ask of this young team to respond with a road victory against an athletically superior Baylor team. How could I be so vain?

James Sims for President

Source: KU Sports

A year ago today, Kansas was down in Austin, Texas, getting its brains beat out by a barely mediocre Longhorns team, 43-0. Kansas was crap, and the line favored Texas by 28 points, but nobody in their right mind would have predicted these numbers... That day, Texas had 35 first downs; Kansas had 3. Texas had 441 yards rushing; Kansas had -2. Texas converted 11 of 16 third downs; Kansas converted 1 of 10. Texas possessed the ball for 44:07; Kansas possessed the ball for 15:53. All this, just 12 months ago.

On Saturday, Kansas took Kivisto Field on homecoming as 18 point underdogs. Texas was top 10 in the nation in points scored, averaging over 44 points per game, and Kansas was near the bottom in the NCAAs, averaging less than 20 points per game. Texas would run up the score, and Kansas wouldn't be able to hold serve.

But that didn't happen. Instead, Kansas dominated the game for 3 and 1/2 quarters, imposing its will with a power running game, playing the game to its strength, right into the teeth of the Texas defense. This day, Texas had 16 first downs; Kansas had 18. Texas had 211 yards rushing; Kansas had 234. Texas converted 4 of 12 third downs; Kansas converted 7 of 15. Texas possessed the ball for 27:12; Kansas possessed for 32:48.

Kansas lost its bowl eligibility, falling to 1-7 (0-5), but gave its fans reason to believe that a bowl isn't out of the question for 2013. Kansas was a few plays away from beating Texas for the first time in over 70 years.

Texas Pre-Game Inspiration

No Fun in Norman

Source: KU Sports

Trailing 10-0, and punting back to a hot and bothered Oklahoma offense, the Kansas Jayhawks needed a break. They needed a gift. They needed an answered prayer. They needed a turnover. And they got one. Gunner Josh Ford went barreling into former Penn State punt-returner, Justin Brown, jarring the ball loose, and recovering it at the OU 11 yard line. So Kansas took over, deep in OU territory, on the road, as 35 point underdogs. I'd say that certainly qualifies as a break. But what they did with that break is even more inconceivable.

A Kicker! A Kicker! My Kingdom for a Kicker!

Source: KU Sports

Speaking of true fandom, if Saturday, with all the elements (the rain, the wind, the thunder, the hour and a half delay), wasn’t a test of character, then I don’t know what is.  Few students braved the weather for the first quarter, and even fewer stayed to the end as the crowd dwindled during the premature intermission and throughout the course of the game, but even after the scoreboard read zeros, and the team had come and gone after singing the alma mater, students stood proud, singing the Rock Chalk Chant in unison. Although small in number, the group matched the passion of a full student section. Kansas fell 20-14 in a hard fought comeback, but the game wasn’t without gain. We learned two things on Saturday: there are passionate diehards here, and Kansas is making some serious headway in becoming a Big 12 contender. Does it carry over in Norman, Oklahoma? I wish I could say something with any certainty, but at least this good feeling will last throughout the week.

Step Back From That Ledge, My Friend

Source: KU Sports

So here we sit, 1-4 and (0-2) in conference, coming off a 56-16 loss at the hands of the No. 7 Kansas State Wildcats. Our Hawks will be odds-on underdogs the rest of the way, and could be staring down the barrel of a 1-11 season.

Just down the road, Manhattan has its hopes set on a Big 12 Championship, a BCS bowl game, and a Heisman trophy. Here in Lawrence, however, interest in the football team is waning. Late Night in the Phog is just a few days away, and (sadly) Charlie Weis's boys will soon be an afterthought.

As the colors start to change, and the leaves and grass begin to die, so too does the fan support at football games. It comes and goes with the season, and, by some unspoken rule, it's basketball season now.

Check that, it's always basketball season in this town, and football is back to its rightful place in the rear-view mirror... (Cue the applause)

The Blame Game

Source: KU Sports

Kansas held a 24-13 lead late against the Rice Owls. Each unit (offense, defense, and special teams) had a chance to finish off the game. None of the units did, and Kansas lost, 25-24. On Saturday, Kansas led Northern Illinois on the road 23-13 in the fourth quarter, and again, had the opportunity to win the game via offense, defense, or special teams, but didn't, losing 30-23. At any and every level, from pee-wee to the NFL, when a team blows a fourth quarter lead, whether we'd like to or not, as humans, we look for someone to blame. Kansas has blown two in just four games. I am human. Therefore, I will spend this blog trying to place the blame on somebody. Who is the goat?

Just Out of Reach

Source: KU Sports

Kansas leads the nation in forced turnovers with 12. They have allowed just a little over 20 points per game through 1/4 of the season. They just wrapped up 3 games at home. Why are they 1-2?

Nobody said this would be a quick fix. Rome wasn't built in a day. But, that doesn't mean Kansas can't surprise a few teams this season. They just about did it on Saturday, until No. 15 TCU pulled away, 20-6. Kansas is showing some signs of improvement. Some signs of an actual football team. But they are only signs. Kansas is going to have a tough time turning those signs into wins in the Big 12.

Snatching Defeat from the Jaws of Victory

Source: KU Sports

We (Kansas Football fans) must be gluttons for punishment. Each and every season, we set ourselves up for disappointment. Each and every week, we set ourselves up for disappointment. Each and every game... you get the point (I can feel my hopes swelling for the TCU game on Saturday this very minute).

Kansas led the Rice Owls 24-13 with a little over 11 minutes left in the 3rd quarter. Had you told me that Rice would finish the game with just 25 points scored, I would have all but assumed KU was heading into the Week 3 matchup with TCU, 2-0. As the football gods would have it, that just wouldn't, shouldn't, and couldn't possibly be the case. Kansas was held scoreless by a very suspect Owl defense, and Chris Boswell nailed a 45 yard field goal (twice) as time expired, handing KU a 25-24 loss. The Hawks fell to 1-1 on the young season, and while it is "just one" loss, it's also probably one of the few games that Kansas could have won this season. Kansas might get "just one" win this year. This one sucked.

A Win is a Win is a Win is a Win

KU Sports

If you haven’t figured out by now, I am usually one of two things after a game: mordant and bitter or Pollyannaish and aroused. More times than not, I am mordant because KU has, honestly, lost quite a few games in the past 2 and a half seasons. Comedy is sometimes the only remedy. But tonight, despite its general sloppiness, was in fact a win, giving rise to an unreasonably good-humored post.

Week 12: @ WVU 2011: 10-3 (5-2)

Source: CBS Sports

Kansas concludes the regular season with a road-trip eastward to Morgantown, WV to play the West Virginia Mountaineers. Led by quarterback Geno Smith and his repertoire of dangerous receivers, West Virginia has the makeup of a team that gives Kansas fits. Can Kansas keep it a game?

Week 11: vs. ISU 2011: 6-7 (3-6)

Source: ISU Athletics

In 2011, Kansas lost to Iowa State by just 3 in Ames. In 2010, Kansas lost to Iowa State by just 12 in Ames.

Week 10: @ TTU 2011: 5-7 (2-7)

Source: UWire

On September 25, 2004, Kansas led Texas Tech 30-5 with just 48 seconds left in the first half. Texas Tech stormed back and won, 31-30.

On October 1, 2005, Texas Tech led by only 10 in the third quarter, 24-14, but pulled away in the fourth quarter, 30-14.

On October, 25, 2008, Kansas was tied with Tech, 14-14, early, but the Red Raiders would score 49 of the next 56 points, winning 63-14.

On Halloween 2009, Kansas led Tech in Lubbock, 21-14, heading into the fourth quarter, but imploded, losing 42-21.

And just last year, on October 1, Kansas led TTU 20-0, but lost 45-34.

If you haven't figured it out by now, I am sick of Texas Tech.

Week 9: @ Baylor 2011: 10-3 (6-3)

Source: Scout

Kansas lead No. 25 Baylor, 24-3, heading into the fourth quarter last year. It was the Jayhawks best chance at a Big 12 win in a little more than a year. It was all for naught, as Robert Griffin took over the game, and the Heisman race, with a 31-30 overtime comeback win.

Baylor loses their supernatural quarterback to the Washington Redskins, and Nick Florence gets the keys to the sleek, smooth, and speedy Baylor offense. Can he drive it as well as RG3? Can the defense stop anybody?

Week 8: vs. Texas 2011: 8-5 (4-5)

Source: Bleacher Report

We like to think that Sheahon Zenger had his mind made up on Turner Gill after the Sunflower "Showdown", but it is without question that Gill was as good as gone after a 43-0 beat-down in Austin, Texas late last October. Kansas amassed just three first downs in the entire game, their lowest total since 1968 (a completely different era and brand of football, mind you), 46 total yards, and just 36 total offensive plays.

Texas returns talent, but is still uncertain at the quarterback position. Kansas gets them at home, and should keep this game within reach by halftime. Can they finally beat the Longhorns? Texas has won all 9 in conference...

Week 7: @ OU 2011: 10-3 (6-3)

Source: Athlon Sports

Last October, KU trailed Oklahoma just 27-17 at halftime in Lawrence. In the second half, the Kansas offense stalled, mustering just 6 total yards and one first down.

Oklahoma was ranked No. 3 in the country at the time, and was still in contention for a national title berth. They would struggle a bit down the stretch, but ended the season with a win over Iowa in the Insight Bowl. Heading into 2012, Oklahoma is, once again, a title contender. Does KU even have prayer?

Week 6: vs. OSU 2011: 12-1 (8-1)

Source: Vegas Harps

The 2011 Oklahoma State Cowboys were just a cold, November night in Ames away from Bedlam. The 2011 Oklahoma State Cowboys were just a cold, November night in Ames away from 11-0. The 2011 Oklahoma State Cowboys were just a cold, November night in Ames, and a Bedlam win away from a National Championship. Bedlam will be spoken about in high regard. As for that fateful, cold, November night in Ames...

Cyclone tailback Jeff Woody plunged into the end-zone, and seemingly every able-bodied mammal within a 100 mile radius of Ames, IA stormed the field,  as Iowa State knocked off OSU 37-31 in double overtime. Men, women, children. Cows, sheep, pigs. It was the biggest upset in Iowa State history, arguably the biggest upset of the 2011 season, and quite possibly one of the biggest of the past decade. It was a great season for Cowboy fans, nonetheless. OSU loses a lot of talent from that 2011 squad, but is primed for another run at the Big 12 Championship.

Week 5: @ K-State 2011: 10-3 (7-2)

Source: Orlando Sentinel

How does that Twain saying go, again? "I did not have time to write a short letter, so I wrote a long one instead." Yeah, that one. Well, insert said quote here, because if you are looking for a nice, brief breakdown of the 2012 "Sunflower Showdown", at/around 1000 words or less, then you will have to look elsewhere.

But if, perchance, you are looking for a long, meandering post with plenty of tangents and asides and just a smidgen of reliable analysis, then you have come to the right place. So, welcome (for those of you who have not closed your browser... yet). Let's do this thing.

Fall Camp Begins

Source: KU Sports

Thursday started early for the Jayhawks. A 6AM conditioning test woke them up, and an afternoon practice concluded the first day's work. Check back here for updates on the team.

Week 4: @ NIU 2011: 11-3 (8-1)

Source: NIU Today

After the conference opener against TCU, Kansas will leave the friendly confines of Memorial Stadium for a brief 2 game road trip featuring Northern Illinois and in-state rival Kansas State. After two straight home field drubbings under Turner Gill, the trip to K-State game looms large, but Kansas must first get through their last non-conference task, the Huskies in DeKalb. Nothing from last years' game says that it will be easy (4 ties and 7 lead changes).

Week 3: vs. TCU 2011: 11-2 (7-0)

Source: Athlon Sports

I'm trying to think of the last time a game this early in the season meant so much to Kansas Football. Georgia Tech in '10 was nice, South Florida in '08 was a big one... but were they "circled" on the schedule-- I don't know? Charlie Weis has made it pretty clear that he wants this one.

Kansas christens TCU into the Big 12, and needs to do so with a victory if it wants any chance at post-season play. Sure, it only marks the 1/4 point of the season, and there are a lot of games left to be played, but Kansas plays 6 of its next 9 on the road. 5 of the 6 road games in the Big 12. Here is how this one breaks down...

Big 12 Media Day Coverage 2012

Source: Twitter

We are still a few days away from Big 12 Media Day, but once it gets going, check back here for updates on the Jayhawks and the rest of the league. I always consider this the "hump", and once we got over this, it is downhill from here until kickoff. August 1st, the players report, then Kansas has its own Media Day, then classes start, and then it is only a matter of days. But for the time being, check out the new addition to the KU Football uniform. Updates after the jump.

Week 2: vs. Rice 2011: 4-8 (3-5)

Source: Chron

In the event that the South Dakota State Jackrabbits don't crash the party like their brother's from the north did, Kansas will be 1-0 and set to play the Rice Owls, from Conference USA, in the second of three non-conference games. If that is the case, Kansas will have a shot to tie their win total from last year. Not in conference. Not against their rivals. But from the entire season... it has been some pretty trying times around the Anderson Complex lately.

Week 1: vs. SDSU (FCS) 2011: 5-6

Source: GOJACKS.com

Today marks Part 1 of a 12 part series, breaking down the 2012 KU Football schedule. In this series, I hope to analyze each opposing team (positions, coaching, maybe a little obeisance to the mascot) and how they match up with KU. I don't feel terribly comfortable making predictions before the season has even started, but I'll give it a shot. It'll be fun.

First up on the schedule, a game set for September 1st with a team from Brookings, South Dakota, the Jackrabbits of South Dakota State.

Debunking the "Talent" Myth

Source: Sports Illustrated

We follow recruiting religiously. Like, seriously. It is its own religious sect. It's own denomination. Sure, it's a much more common practice in the deep South, but here I sit with 7 tabs open on my browser. 6 of the 7 are KU Football recruits. The 7th is this blog, where I am writing about recruiting. Find a blog post where I don't talk about recruiting, or a specific recruit, and I will buy you a yearly subscription to something. I don't know what for, say, a college recruiting website? Point being, we invest countless hours following the game's next stars, praying, begging, that they bring their talents to our Alma mater. After thinking about it for a while, following college recruiting is a lot like breathing: you barely notice you do it, but if you stopped, you'd probably keel over and die. I mean, you guys follow college football recruiting a lot too, right? Like 2, 3, 9 hours a day, right? Guys? Sooooo, this will come to the chagrin of a lot of you, but SPOILER ALERT: identifying "talent" in a high school athlete is a bit of a crap shoot. Yes... I said it. I'm just as befuddled by that statement as you are. I don't want to believe that "stars" and other ranking gauges are not an exact science. I don't want to believe that our newly signed 3* linebacker doesn't actually run a 4.5 and can't bench the bar. But I have to. Here is why.

Summer's Grind

Source: Missourian

This is the time of the year when YouTube becomes my best friend. Not really of my own free will, but out of childish bad habit. There never really is enough news to quench my insatiable, and often unhealthy, thirst for everything KU Football, regardless of the time of year, but this is heightened tenfold in the summer, so I always spend a few hours here, a few hours there, a few days here, a few days there, watching, re-watching, and re-re-watching highlights from years past. Yeah, I've got problems. Un-diagnosed OCD. Call me a doctor.

For the team, though, this summer will be spent in the weight room and on the hill, improving strength and conditioning. What time is not spent in those two loci should be spent committing the playbook to memory. It is an uphill race against Father Time for the players and coaches, but for us fans, Spring Ball is over, and fall camp is still a few months out. Here are some questions that we have right now, heading into the hiatus, and the answers that I anticipate are disclosed come August.

Spring Game 2012

Source: KU Sports

Led by MVPs Tony Pierson and Michael Reynolds, the Kansas "Blue" team won Saturday's Spring Game 45-0 over the "White" team. The "Blue" team was essentially comprised of the first string players; the "White" team: the second and third string players. Actually, Michael Reynolds suited up for what came to be known as the "Light Blue" team (mostly defensive linemen), but for conversation's sake, he led a stifling "Blue" team defense. Here's hoping that he translates that to the "real" team this fall.

Dawning of a New Era

Source: KU Sports

Just months into his contract, it is clear to even the most casual observer that El Capitan Weis is running a tight ship on the Mount Oread (giving Skipper Leach a run for his money at Washington State). As scrupulous as they come, Chuck has Saturday's Spring Game planned out to the very minute... he has also cut the cord on several knaves.Today we will cover that and much, much more (albeit, this should be a relatively happy post all the same!). Although it may be a little scatter-shot, today's overarching themes: change, newfangled discipline, a new era of KU Football.

A Method to His Madness

Source: KU Sports

You may notice that the offensive version of the "Pre-Spring Depth Chart" is a little--well--unconventional. Yes, it meets the requirements mandated by NCAA rules, with at least 7 men on the line of scrimmage, and yes, it features a quarterback, halfback, two tackles, two guards, and a center, like most successful offenses, but where the offense loses its familiarity is with the wide-outs, fullbacks, and tight ends. Fear not, because Mr. Weis knows a thing or two about running an offense. Today, I will touch on the unique packages that Weis will incorporate on the offensive side of the ball, and what Dave Campo and the defense plan to do this fall, all the while counting down the days until kickoff.

Hope Springs Eternal

Source: KU Sports

The hubbub in Lawrence is not Kansas Football, and justifiably so, because Tyshawn "Turnover-less" Taylor and the greatest coach in the country, Bill Self, have piloted the team to the school's 14th Final Four and 8th straight Big 12 Championship. Kansas bettered the state of North Carolina (both the Wolfpack of NC State and the Tarheels of North Carolina) and former head coach Roy Williams (with a triangle and two defense that I'm still not sure if he has figured out yet) on the way. I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge their accomplishments, so football is going to have to simmer on the back burner while basketball turns up the heat. But, in case you were wondering, Spring Ball starts tomorrow and the Spring Game is but a month away.

A Running Total of: "The Late Additions"

Source: Husker Extra

During his press conference earlier this year, head coach Charlie Weis promised the hungry Kansas fan base that it would be fed: by May, we could expect a string of fifth year transfers and under-recruited high-school players to join the team. Let's just say that Weis and company are a little ahead of schedule. Granted it's only March, so there is still a lot of sand in the hour-glass, but I felt like if I didn't at least create a post to keep tabs on the additions, then I would leave you too far out of the loop. And who isn't looking for some easy reading until the spring game on April 28th? (I apologize for the photo. I thought I would never stoop down to this level, but hey, Josh Williams is ours now, you corn-fed traitors.)

2011: Season in Review (The Defense)

Source: KU Sports

So, the 2011 Kansas Jayhawks Defense is today’s topic of discussion. It’s not going to be fun, so you may want to avert your eyes, but in my defense, I presaged you. So, here we are.  It’s March and spring football practice just kicked off yesterday. I hope Dave Campo and company are tackling (pun intended) the problems that ailed the team right now, but we will find that out on the other side. For now, it’s time to review your very own, league leading point allowing defense, the 2011 Kansas Jayhawks.

Mission Impossible 2012; Schedule Released

Subsequent to their official exit from the Big East Conference, the West Virginia Mountaineers tied the knot with the disheveled Big 12 Conference, which allowed the A.D.s to make their 2012 schedules. Once the A.D.s submitted their proposed schedules, the Big 12 officials then reviewed and finalized those schedules after a long, long, drawn out period of quiescence. On Tuesday the officials finally released those 2012 football schedules to the public for geeks like me to salivate over. Yeah...except I haven't been salivating too much. After looking at all of the schedules, I can't tell you much, but I can tell you one thing: Kansas's is going to be a bear.

Signing Day 2012

Source: Jayhawks Football

Signing day always gets my heart going a little faster than usual. I can't quite put it in words, but there is something that just makes it feel like Christmas morning all over again. The day is especially fun when Kansas hauls in a nice handful of good looking recruits, and for the Jayhawks, based on that criteria, signing day 2012 was a success. Although it was a bit overshadowed by the Missouri signing of number 1 recruit, Dorial Green-Beckham (which loomed large over all of America, to be honest), Charlie Weis and company had another good day at the office, getting familiar names and even a few surprises to dot the line at the last minute.

2011: Season in Review (The Offense)

Source: LJ World

With College Football officially over, it is finally time to put a wrap on the 2011 Jayhawks. While we would like to forget the past year entirely, it is out there all the same. There were several areas that ailed the Jayhawks and will continue to ail them if they are not accounted for (hopefully they will be in about 48 hours), so we will try to bring those weaknesses into the limelight. Today we will start by breaking down the offense (the defense will be saved for a later date, thankfully).

Meet the Press

Source: KU Sports

Charlie Weis addressed the press earlier today in jovial spirits. Beside him sat a trio of stud transfers: QB Dayne Crist, QB Jake Heaps, and WR/LB Justin McCay (all dressed in KU blue). For the first time since his initial press conference after accepting the job, Weis sat down and talked Kansas Football. Here is what he and the players had to say...

Surprise! KU finds DC; Staff Completed

Source: Bleacher Report

It's only fitting that Dave Campo comes to Lawrence as the new defensive coordinator. Wait, what? Dave Campo? Fitting? Well, yes. With regards to Kansas Football, we have learned (of late) to expect the unexpected. After all, when Charlie Weis was hired in December, it came as a surprise to all of the pundits, myself including. Names like Fedora, Dykes, and Malzahn were the frontrunners, not Weis...right? Campo's hiring also comes as a surprise to Jayhawk fans, who planned on either Al Groh, Jim Leavitt, or Willie Martinez. News is good, and although it seems to be out of the blue, when it is all said and done, Kansas fans should be pleasantly surprised.

New to the Staff: Bowen, Blasko, and then Some

Source: LJ World

Former player and assistant coach, Clint Bowen, is back in crimson and blue after a short stint with North Texas. Bowen moved on from Kansas after Mangino's firing in 2009, but rejoins Charlie Weis and staff. There are no hard feelings, though; Kansas welcomes him back with open arms (Bowen has an excellent reputation as a defensive backs coach and is a Jayhawk through and through). What's not to like?

Another Domino Falls

Source: Rivals

Jayhawkslant.com is reporting that former Oklahoma wide-receiver Justin McCay has committed to Kansas. With the help of former teammate, Tre Parmalee, and head coach, Tim Grunhard, McCay heads to Lawrence and will be eligible to play for the Hawks in 2013 and 2014. Charlie Weis and the Jayhawks have added yet another big splash transfer.

Dry Spell Ends Today

Source: UHND

After missing out on OL, Duaron Williams (Iowa State), and TE, Sean Culkin (Missouri), Kansas plans to make January 3rd a day to remember. Naturally, "Dead Period" will be one of the slower times of the year recruiting wise because coaches can only call prospects once a week with no visits to speak of from December 16th to January 4th. Expect that to change tonight. The Jayhawks have officially named Rob Ianello the new recruiting coordinator and wide-receivers coach, and look to add All-American WR Gehrig Dieter tonight at the Semper-Fidelis All-American Bowl.