:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/4518877/20121029_kkt_sr9_618.0.jpg)
Over the last two days we've looked at the known commodities returning to the Kansas roster so now let's turn the page and look at the prospects currently committed to Kansas for the 2013 class. Before getting into that there is one piece of news that might be floating out there on twitter from John Williams last night. Williams was part of our defensive look in yesterday's post but last night on twitter he expressed some nervous feeling about life without football. That would appear to indicate that the fifth year defensive tackle won't be applying for a sixth year of eligibility at Kansas.
With that out of the way, who do we have coming on board with Kansas at this point for 2013 and how will they factor into the immediate or longterm plans for Charlie Weis and the Jayhawks?
Quarterback
| Jordan Darling | QB | Prairie Village, KSShawnee Mission East | 6'4" | 226 | 4.8 | 3 stars | 5.5 |
| Montell Cozart | QB | Roeland Park, KSBishop Miege | 6'2" | 180 | 3 stars | 5.5 |
Charlie Weis is a quarterback guy. Next year and the year after everyone is hoping that Jake Heaps can fill the role and fill it with enough competence to help Kansas get the ball rolling. After that one or both of these players can be expected to compete with Baty and Cummings for the starting role. Niether of these are players that will turn the Kansas fortunes in 2013, these are recruits with an eye toward the future. Unless of course we see a position switch or a series of injuries of some kind.
Offensive Line
| Ngalu Fusimalohi | OL | San Francisco, CACity College of San Francisco | 6'3" | 300 | 3 stars | 5.5 |
| Joey Bloomfield | OL | Louisville, KYBallard | 6'6" | 305 | 5.1 | 3 stars | 5.6 |
Fusimalohi is someone that Kansas will look to for immediate minutes. The offensive line is losing a lot and the Jayhawks need depth and competition at that spot. Fusimalohi will most likely compete at a guard position and could well step into a starting role so from that standpoint this is a solid commitment that can help immediately. Bloomfield is also a bit of a wildcard. It's not a perfect scenario but it's not unheard of for a freshman to step in and play. Bloomfield is a well though of tackle prospect that will likely contribute in the future, but the constant attempts by Kansas State to get in on his recruitment certainly speaks to this staffs ability to identify and target talent that others seem to covet.
WR/Tight End
| Ben Johnson | TE | Basehor, KSBasehor Linwood | 6'5" | 230 | 3 stars | 5.5 |
| Mark Thomas | WR | Garden City, NYNassau C.C. | 6'2" | 210 | 4.4 | 2 stars | 5.4 |
Charlie Weis has to win those instate players and Johnson is one of those at tight end. The position has some depth so it doesn't strike you as a signing for immediate help but again a developmental player from the backyard. Those can be very productive Jayhawks in the future.
Thomas on the other hand is a junior college wideout with good size and speed. The passing game needs an upgrade across the board and Thomas was really gaining momentum with some impressive schools before committing to Kansas. He plays in an offense that doesn't throw much so it's sort of a potential signing that might fly under the radar to some extent, but he could easily push for playing time depending on who steps up at wideout.
Defensive Line
| Andrew Bolton | DE | Raymond, MSHinds C.C. | 6'3" | 280 | 4.8 | 3 stars | 5.6 |
| Tedarian Johnson | DT | Raymond, MSHinds C.C. | 6'3" | 285 | 3 stars | 5.5 |
Throw Ty McKinney in the mix here as he is expected to be on campus in December based on our last update from Charlie Weis. That update was months ago though, so it's very possible that this could fall by the wayside.
As for Bolton and Johnson, you couldn't ask for a better start with these two. Bolton is a big physical end that had Big 10 offers, SEC offers and big time SEC interest. He'll step in at Kansas with a chance to play and make an impact immediately where Josh Williams left off. This could be one of the best commitments on the list right now.
Johnson is also a very solid contribution and he has offers from other Big 12 schools to go along with an SEC offer. If you can add Johnson, McKinney and Marquel Combs, the defensive tackle position will be in the best shape that it's been in years when you add those to what we have returning. Everyone will have to elevate their game to win playing time and we'll have the bodies to rotate, get a push and make plays.
Linebacker
| Marcus Jenkins-Moore | LB | Woodland Hills, CAPierce C.C. | 6'3" | 210 | 3 stars | 5.6 |
| Samson Faifili | LB | Sacramento, CAAmerican River C.C. | 5'11" | 240 | 4.5 | 3 stars | 5.5 |
| Kellen Ash | LB | Ballwin, MOParkway South Sr | 6'3" | 194 | 4.7 | 3 stars | 5.6 |
If you aren't at least a little bit excited about what the staff has done here then you're missing something. Linebacker was an area that Kansas did pretty well with in terms of developing the talent on the roster this year and finding some players that could put up a gritty fight. That doesn't mean it can't be improved though. The Jayhawks still need a little more beef in the middle and a little more athleticism on the outside. Jenkins-Moore has a HUGE offer sheet and after a recent visit to Kansas State he has confirmed his commitment to the Jayhawks. He can start from day one.
Faifili is probably what Weis was looking for in Anthony McDonald. Faifili has more speed and did report some offers out of the Big 12 and Pac 12. He should be able to push Heeney and allow Kansas to go a little bigger at linebacker at times.
Ash is the third of the group and as a true freshman he'll need time to develop. A nice athlete, with a potentially bright future, but he's probably not setting the world on fire next year.
| Dexter McDonald | DB | El Dorado, KSButler County C.C. | 6'2" | 203 | 3 stars | 5.6 |
| Colin Spencer | DB | Dallas, TXWoodrow Wilson | 5'10" | 179 | 4.5 | 3 stars | 5.5 |
McDonald returns to Kansas after a stint at Butler and he has apparently progressed quite nicely during that time. If that's truly the case, he can step in and play right away at a position the Jayhawks are desperately looking for. His size is very attractive, he's been in and around Kansas football before, and he chose to come back rather than pursue other opportunities that were floating his way.
Spencer is the combine freak with the off the charts measurables. So why is he only a three star? Is his position not well defined? WR/S/CB? Is he a great athlete but not a great football player? Weis targeted him early so hopefully they see something they can work with, most seem to think Campo sees something and if that's the case I suppose you have to trust that on some level. It would be great to see an elite athlete making plays for the Jayhawks in the future.