Kansas University’s new receivers bring one thing to the Jayhawk offense that last season’s crew lacked — size.

“Cornerbacks and safeties in the Big 12 are getting bigger and bigger every year,” KU football coach Mark Mangino said. “You have to have some wide receivers that can muscle up and play with them.”

In 2002, four of KU’s top six receivers were shorter than 6-foot. Derick Mills (5-7, 165) hauled in 22 catches for 226 yards and a touchdown, but quarterback Bill Whittemore — only 6-foot himself — lacked a big target.

Byron Gasaway (6-3, 210) led KU with 39 catches for 490 yards and five TDs, but he graduated. The Jayhawks’ second-leading receiver was running back Clark Green (5-11, 205) with 37 receptions for 408 yards.

KU’s tallest receiver was lanky Brandon Rideau (6-4, 190), who finished his sophomore season with 27 receptions for 307 yards.

Mangino’s staff found big targets for Whittemore in freshman Moderick Johnson (6-5, 190) and junior-college transfer Scott Bajza (6-6, 210).

“Moderick is a big kid,” Mangino said. “Bajza is, too. They both need to continue to work hard in the weight room. You need those big guys to compete.”

Johnson was the Greater Houston Offensive Player of the Year last fall at North Shore High. He had 33 catches for 602 yards and four TDs as a senior while helping the Mustangs win their district.

Johnson, who also was recruited by Arizona, Northwestern and Wisconsin, has impressed coaches during the first week of practice.

KU receiver Moderick Johnson looks for room after catching a short pass at Wednesday's practice. Johnson is a freshman from Houston.

“It’s a little too early to tell, but I’m extremely happy with the way he plays, his intensity,” Mangino said. “He’s a really competitive guy.”

Mangino has made it clear he will play true freshmen if they’re capable of contributing right away. He’ll have a better idea about Johnson after the Jayhawks put on full pads for the first time today.

“When you go full bore, you find out which kids are really ready to play,” Mangino said. “Or you really sit and say, ‘In a year or two, this kid is going to be awesome.’ One of the kids that that jumps out at me is Moderick Johnson. He’s done some awfully good things.”

Bajza had 20 receptions for 273 yards and two touchdowns as a sophomore at Cerritos College.

• Weekley workout: Defensive end Monroe Weekley returned to practice Thursday after missing Wednesday’s sessions to take care of what Mangino called “academic responsibilities.” Mangino has said he expects Weekley to be certified. The sophomore transfer from Arizona Western looked sharp in pass-rush drills.

¢¢¢ Thursday’s practice

• Tuihalamaka tweaked: Defensive lineman Phil Tuihalamaka went down during Thursday’s practice with an injured right arm, but the junior later returned to drills with his elbow heavily taped and didn’t appear to be hampered by the incident.
• Good as advertised: Linebacker Gabe Toomey was expected to contribute right away after transferring from Iowa Central Community College, and the sophomore hasn’t disappointed.

Toomey red-shirted as a freshman in 2001 during Mangino’s last season as offensive coordinator at Oklahoma.

“He was on the defensive scout team every day against our offense,” Mangino said. “I always thought he was going to be a good player. He’s old school. He just comes up and knocks the crap out of you. He has an idea where the ball is. He just has that instinct that’s sometimes difficult to coach.”

• Impact players: Green said KU’s large recruiting class has raised the level of competition in preseason camp.

“It’s a little intense out there,” the sophomore running back said. “Everybody’s hitting. It was intense last year, too, but it’s more intense this year because there are a lot of new faces who want to show what they can do.”

• What’s next: KU’s players and coaches will meet the press at 3:30 p.m. today at Memorial Stadium for media day. The Jayhawks’ next open practice is Sunday’s Kids Day at the practice field behind Anschutz Pavilion. Children accompanied by an adult can attend the final 30 minutes of practice. Gates open at 4 p.m., and players will sign autographs after practice.