It has been six years since June Henley rushed for 1,349 yards and 17 touchdowns as a Kansas University senior.

Though Henley  who was drafted in the fifth round by Kansas City in 1997  did not go on to NFL greatness, KU’s all-time leading rusher holds at least one distinction. He was the last Jayhawk to rush for 1,000 yards in a single season.

The only KU running back to come close to that milestone during former KU coach Terry Allen’s five seasons in Lawrence was David Winbush, who fell 26 yards short as a sophomore in 1998.

As first-year coach Mark Mangino begins to rebuild a program that once produced backs such as Gale Sayers and John Riggins, the backfield appears to be one of the few places where Kansas has an overabundance of depth.

“We’ll always find room for good players somewhere on the field,” Mangino said. “That’s a good problem to have. I hope they all become the players we believe they can be.”

Some of them might have plenty of time to develop. Juniors Reggie Duncan, a returning starter, fellow tailback Harold McClendon and fullback Dan Coke are the oldest backs among those likely to play.

Red-shirt freshman Clark Green (5-foot-11, 200 pounds) pushed Duncan (5-9, 215) throughout spring drills and continues to do so in preseason camp. The backs were listed as co-No. 1s on the depth chart released Wednesday.

Two true freshmen  Canadian import Jon Cornish (6-0, 200) and all-state selection Jerome Kemp (5-11, 195) from Wichita Southeast  impressed the coaching staff during newcomers camp.

But the job is likely to come down to Duncan and Green. The spring game did little to settle the debate when Duncan rushed for 84 yards on 15 carries, and Green ran for 75 yards on 20 carries.

How the rivals fare in the final two weeks of preseason practices will likely determine who takes the first handoff when the season starts Aug. 31 at Iowa State.

“Reggie’s an experienced guy and a quality player, but we cannot overlook the abilities of Clark Green,” Mangino said. “I don’t want to use a platoon situation with them. I’ve told those guys somebody’s got to win this job. The other one will be the backup. The competition is intense there. It only makes us better.”

Duncan, who was Winbush’s backup in 2000 before starting nine games last year, rushed for 739 yards and three touchdowns as a sophomore.

Mangino said Green is a better blocking back than Duncan, and running backs coach Clint Bowen said Green is a more “natural” receiver out of the backfield.

Duncan has experience, though, while Green hasn’t played a single down in college.

“Both of them were here all summer and did a good job in the summer program and did what they’re supposed to do,” Bowen said. “That’s going to be intense. One of those guys is going to have to emerge somehow and separate himself from the other guy. It’s going to be a competitive position.”

The backs have similar size and styles, with a few exceptions.

“Both of them have the ability to burst and get out of trouble,” Bowen said. “They’ll lower their shoulder and run over some people as well. Clark will do that a little more than Reggie, and sometimes Clark to a fault. You can try to avoid another person every once in a while. Clark’s a little bit hostile out there and becomes too physical at times.”

That hostility doesn’t spill over to the sidelines or the lockerroom. Duncan said his rivalry with Green is a friendly one.

“We help each other,” said Duncan, a Killeen, Texas, native. “This is a team thing. We’re a family.”

Green appreciates Duncan’s attitude.

“It’s real unique,” Green said. “A lot of other people would be worried about who the starter is. We don’t have byes, and there’s 12 games on the schedule. If you don’t start, you’ll just have to wait your turn. Whoever they name the starter, we’ll support that.”

While the freshmen have dazzled the coaches and Duncan and Green continue their battle, Bowen said not to forget about Coke (5-11, 215) and McClendon (5-10, 190).

“Those guys can play some football,” he said. “Nobody seems to remember those guys anymore. They’re good football players.”

And none of them are seniors.

Kemp and Cornish could be red-shirted, which would put a year between them and Green. Another possibility would be to move a player to another position, such as defensive back.

Kemp, however, said he was intent on staying in the backfield.

Bowen said playing time shouldn’t be a problem.

“Clark Green could play some other positions, but we’re not going to let that happen,” Bowen said of the Tampa, Fla., native, who played linebacker, safety and running back in high school. “Going through the Big 12 with one tailback is going to be pretty tough. I can’t think of one tailback whose been there all 12 games. You’re going to need two or three guys during the course of the year. It’s such a physically demanding position. Those guys take some hard shots.”