UP NEXT: Running Backs at 9:30 CST including audio from Toben Opurum and an interview with Deshaun Sands
Here we are signing day 2009, the day when players can put ink to paper and make it official. This has become a monster of a day for recruiting analysts, college football fans, and college football programs everywhere. In the spirit of the day we're going to be rolling out a recap all day long of the various positions and signees at each position for the incoming Kansas Jayhawk class. I've done my best to get some new and unique material and quotes for each of these so I hope you all find it enjoyable and worthwhile. Also as with any signing day there are bound to be a few surprises and there are a few names Kansas fans are still waiting on so I'll keep you updated on this as much as possible. Check back early an often and discuss amongst yourselves any thoughts you have.
To start things off a look at the two positions that are the wheels of the spread offense Quarterbacks and Receivers. In terms of QB's Mark Mangino targeted two for this class and locked them up early in the process in Jordan Webb of Union Missouri and Christian Matthews out of Arlington Texas. What does the future hold for each of these? Strengths? Thoughts?
Also a position where Kansas is gaining a reputation for developing talent. In 2007 Marcus Henry went from no name high school recruit to NFL draft pick. Last year Kerry Meier and Dezmon Briscoe exploded onto the scene to become one of the most potent receiving tandems in the nation. So what does the 2009 class of Erick McGriff and Chris Omigie bring to the table? Well if not one of the most highly rated receiving classes in Kansas memory, certainly one of the most formidable in stature. Oh...and one more thing, an extensive audio Interview with Bradley McDougald confirming he will be signing today and talking a little bit about his recruitment.
jump into the post for more breakdown, video and interviews...
Bradley McDougald
This was a late addition so it's a little out of place but Bradley McDougald did confirm he will be signing with the Jayhawks on signing day. I had a chance to talk with McDougald a good amount of time prior to the big day and he had some very interesting things to say with regards to his recruitment and Kansas.
Bradley McDougald Signing Day Interview
Here is a link to another video from ESPN which is more of a
Quarterbacks
Jordan Webb
To start things off we'll take a look at Union Missouri quarterback Jordan Webb. Webb, who we interviewed as part of our Rock Chalk Talk series earlier in the year, is already on campus and working out with the team after early graduation in December.
Webb committed to the Jayhawks early in the process last April and has remained steadfast in his decision since. Webb began drawing attention following a monster junior season in which he recorded over 4300 yards passing and 55 touchdowns while also contributing 11 touchdowns on the ground. Here is a video interview from very early in the recruiting process after Webb received his first offer from Kansas.
An equally strong senior year in the spread offense with over 3000 yards passing and a 70% completion percentage have many comparing him to two other quarterbacks running the spread in the area in Todd Reesing and Chase Daniel. The competition will be stiff when Reesing departs and Webb figures to factor into that race. My personal feeling is the biggest advantage he will have is knowing the offense from his entire high school playing days being in the spread. Regardless this is a good signing from a depth standpoint and competition standpoint for the Jayhawks in the future.
Webb is the 28th rated pro-style quarterback by rivals and was hand picked and recruited by Kansas offensive coordinator Ed Warriner.
ESPN Video of Webb...first play remind you of anyone
Christian Matthews
The next quarterback in the 2009 Kansas Jayhawk recruiting class is Christian Matthews out of Arlington Texas. Matthews is another one that committed early on to the Jayhawks and again hasn't budged on the fact that he was sold on Kansas. Matthews is a 6'3" 190 pound dual threat quarterback with 4.6 40 speed. A highlight video reveals what this guy brings to the table and why many are very excited about his dual threat capabilities.
Pretty easy to see how dangerous he could be in a spread and while some see him as a potential to switch positions upon arrival at Kansas, many see him as the front runner for the post-Reesing era. A junior season included over 2700 yards passing with 25 TD's in addition to 600+ on the ground with 8 touchdowns. His senior year very closely mirrored his junior campaign as he logged 2300 yards through the air with 19 TD's and again 600+ on the ground with 10 TD's.
Christian is the 32 ranked dual threat quarterback according to rivals and was one of many success stories on the recruiting trail for first year recievers coach David Beaty.
Another link for Matthews video
Wide Receivers
Erick McGriff
Kansas' first commitment at the receiver spot came from Erick McGriff a 6'4" 190 pounder out of Tampa Florida. McGriff is the son of Major Leage Baseball star Fred "the crime dog" McGriff and with 4.6 speed and great size to go with it has moved up the rankings throughout the year. His most recent rivals evaluation left him just on the outside of a 4 star rating and according to a radio interview with Jeremy Crabtree on Kansas City radio station 580AM he probably deserved to be.
Unfortunately there isn't a lot of video out there on McGriff and I haven't been able to secure an interview with him so about the best I can give you on McGriff is what I hear and from that all I can say is I'm excited about this one as are many. While I wouldn't expect an immediate impact, McGriff will no doubt be a big part of the transition to the next level for this program.
Louis Matsakis was the lead recruiter for McGriff and has appeared to make some inroads in the state of Florida as state that will always be tough to recruit for a Big 12 team. With the addition of Bill Miller we may see further development in this area in the future.
Chris Omigie
Kansas' second commitment came pretty much within the hour of it's first. Chris Omigie another Arlington Texas product committed to the Jayhawks on January 4th the same day as his future teammate McGriff. As we discussed in our Rock Chalk Talk interview with Omigie he brings great size with a 6'5" frame and impressive wingspan. Omigie could be a potential steal in this class due to the fact that his high school team runs a primarily running attack. His senior year he did put up some impressive numbers with 55 receptions for nearly 1000 yards and 9 touchdowns. However here in his Junior film you can see he was featured more for his blocking as a junior than his recieveing allthough you do get a look at his ability to get to the highest point on a reception in this tape as well.
Here is another snippet from rivals.com on sleeper prospects for 2009 and Chris Omigie gets some run on this one.
David Beaty again was the lead recruiter for Omigie and seems to developing quite a pipeline in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Kansas beat out Nebraska, Baylor and Purdue for Omigie's services