University of Kansas

KU football recruiting outlook

Top five recruits
NamePos.Rank*Ht.Wt.School
Corey AveryATH435-10170Carter HS (Dallas)

Avery was one of the top prospects in the Dallas area. Texas’ interest cooled when Mack Brown left, but Nebraska was recruiting Avery until the end. He could play in the slot, similar to KU receiver Tony Pierson.

Traevohn WrenchRB256-0180Gardner Edgerton HS

A prolific and powerful running back, Wrench was rated as the No. 2 prospect in Kansas by Rivals.com. He put up video-game numbers at Gardner Edgerton.

Jacob BraggOL116-4308Nacogdoches (Texas) HS

Bragg is the kind of talent that new offensive coordinator John Reagan will attempt to mold into a difference-maker up front. Bragg was a top-100 player in Texas.

Kyron WatsonLB226-0226East St. Louis (Ill.) HS

Rated as a four-star recruit by some services, Watson was rated as the No. 21 prospect in Missouri by Rivals.

Joe DineenDBN/R6-2197Lawrence Free State HS

Perhaps Dineen, a KU legacy, doesn’t have the high ceiling of some prospects. But he has the blend of athleticism, talent and character that all programs covet.

*Rivals.com national position ranking

The one that got away

Kansas devoted plenty of resources to the recruitment of defensive lineman Peyton Newell, a four-star recruit from Hiawatha, Kan. But in the end, Newell picked Nebraska over KU and K-State.

Still fishing for

Offensive linemen? The Jayhawks signed a handful of them, but after last season, KU could use some immediate upgrades in the trenches.

Position answered for

Athletes. So, it’s not really a position. But for two years, KU’s offense has lacked playmakers. The addition of Corey Avery, who can play running back or receiver, Traevohn Wrench and juco running back De’Andre Mann should help upgrade team speed.

Position unanswered for

Receiver. Charlie Weis signed some prospects from Texas who could make an impact in the long-term. But the receiving corps will be a question mark until the Jayhawks see some results on the field.

Signed (3)
Player Pos. Ht. Wt. School
Ronnie DavisDB6-1170Northeastern Oklahoma A
Keyon HaughtonOL6-2295Georgia Military (Milledgeville, Ga.)
Anthony SmithsonDB6-0180Hartnell College (Salinas, Calif.)
Commitments (20)
Player Pos. Ht. Wt. School
Corey AveryATH5-10170Carter HS (Dallas)
Matthew BoatengDB6-0180IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)
Jacob BraggOL6-4308Nacogdoches (Texas) HS
Darious CrawleyWR5-11191Cypress Ridge HS (Houston)
Joe DineenDB6-2197Lawrence Free State HS
Josh EhambeLB6-3230Prime Prep Academy (Arlington, Texas)
Kapil FletcherDE6-4255Hartnell College (Salinas, Calif.)
Bobby HartzogWR5-11182Westside HS (Houston)
LayTrion JonesDT6-3285Garland (Texas) HS
DeAndre MannRB5-10205Hartnell College (Salinas, Calif.)
Damani MosbyDE6-3235Mesa (Ariz.) Community College
Derrick NealWR5-10155Lincoln HS (Dallas)
Anthony OlobiaDE6-5230Arizona Western Community College
Tyler PatrickWR5-11171The Woodlands HS (The Woodlands, Texas)
Apa VisiniaOL6-5380Grandview HS
Kyron WatsonLB6-0226East St. Louis (Ill.) HS
D.J. WilliamsDT6-3270Lufkin HS (Lufkin, Texas)
Devon WilliamsOT6-5335Georgia Military (Milledgeville, Ga.)
Daniel WiseDE6-2242Hebron HS (Lewisville, Texas)
Traevohn WrenchRB6-0180Gardner Edgerton HS
NOTE:

This story was originally published February 4, 2014 at 10:08 AM with the headline "KU football recruiting outlook."

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