Kyle Knighton’s career as Kansas University linebacker lasted one day.

Knighton, the Missouri prep record holder for single-season tackles (222) and career tackles (547), moved to defensive end Wednesday during the Jayhawk newcomers’ second day of two-a-day football practices.

“We talked to him this morning and we said, ‘You could be a good linebacker. You have a chance to be a great defensive end,'” coach Mark Mangino said. “He was all for it.”

KU appears to be set at linebacker with sophomore Banks Floodman and seniors Leo Etienne and Greg Cole returning. All three have starting experience. Two other lettermen  junior Glenn Robinson and sophomore Brandon Watkins  also return along with red-shirt freshman Nick Clapp.

Depth at defensive end, meanwhile, is a concern. The only returning lettermen are senior starter Charlie Dennis, sophomore David McMillan and senior Brandon Lacy. McMillan is listed as a starter on the preseason depth chart with Lacy as the backup at both ends

Mangino added depth by signing junior college defensive ends Cory Kipp and Reggie Curry last winter.

“Cory Kipp is a guy that’s going to be a player for us,” Mangino said of the 6-foot-5, 255-pound junior from Riverside Community College. “We look for him to make an immediate impact. All the other junior college players, it’s too early to tell after just four practices but I believe they will all contribute.”

Mangino thinks Knighton (6-4, 236) will contribute as a freshman. He set a Missouri state championship game record last season with 22 tackles while leading West Platte High to the title.

“I’m really impressed with him,” Mangino said. “He’s a guy that if he can continue the way he has for two days, there’s a good chance he’ll play for us this season.”

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Up Next: KU’s returning players report tonight. After media day on Friday, the first full-squad, two-a-day practice sessions start Saturday with practices slated for 7:30 a.m. and 5:15 p.m. on the fields behind Anschutz Pavilion. The evening sessions are open to the public.

Mangino is encouraged by the work of his newcomers so far.

“The thing that I’m really pleased about is the business-like approach of this group of kids,” he said. “It’s unusual for kids to be this focused, this early. Usually in these types of camps, with your first-time players, there’s a lot of hesitation with some of them just feeling their way through. This group here, they’ve been pretty aggressive and are really doing a good job of learning their assignments and coming out and executing. Believe me, it’s far from perfect, but the foundation from which you build with is effort, and the effort is there, so that’s a good first step for us.”

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Walk-ons: The Jayhawks have 12 preferred walk-ons in camp. There will be 25 when the full squad reports.