Clark Green is Kansas University’s starting tailback — for now.

“I think that unless something unforeseen happens, Clark Green will be our running back,” KU football coach Mark Mangino said Monday during the Big 12 teleconference. “You will see John Randle and Jerome Kemp in the backup role.”

After three weeks of preseason camp, Mangino released his first depth chart Monday.

Green (5-foot-11, 205 pounds) led KU in rushing as a freshman last season, but the sophomore had to battle freshmen challengers Randle (6-0, 175) and Kemp (5-9, 200) during the preseason.

Randle was listed second on the depth chart. Kemp — who was held out of the last two open practices — was not listed.

“We feel good about the running back position,” said Mangino, whose team opens the season 6 p.m. Saturday against Northwestern at Memorial Stadium. “It’s very much improved over last season in many ways.”

Randle, a former Wichita Southeast standout who was MVP of the Shrine Bowl this summer, also is listed as the second-string punt returner behind red-shirt freshman Charles Gordon.

Randle is one of three true freshmen on the two-deep offense. Receiver Moderick Johnson (6-5, 190) is listed second at split end behind junior Brandon Rideau (6-4, 190). Cesar Rodriguez (6-7, 253) is second at left tackle behind senior Adrian Jones (6-5, 260).

Three red-shirt freshmen made the two-deep on the offensive line, including starting left guard Bob Whitaker (6-5, 325). David Ochoa (6-4, 250) will back up junior Joe Vaughn (6-1, 280) at center, and Travis Dambach (6-4, 250) is second behind junior Tony Coker (6-5, 320) at right guard.

Kansas football coach Mark Mangino talks with John Randle after the running back sprinted through a handful of defenders for a touchdown during practice. Mangino said Monday that the true freshman from Wichita Southeast would play this season and will be the backup tailback in Saturday's season opener against Northwestern.

Senior right tackle Danny Lewis (6-4, 295) is the fifth starter on the line ahead of junior Richard Estrella (6-4, 285).

Of course, things could change before Saturday night.

“There are people springing up every day, and some of them spring down,” Mangino said. “I don’t think that there are any major surprises based on what the public and media has seen on our practice fields throughout two-a-days. I really like our offensive and defensive lines. We need to develop some depth because we don’t have a lot of it.

“The kids are playing swing positions as backups, which means that they play more than one position on the offensive and defensive line. The front kids are going to be good, and they are going to get better. They are going to be really good on both sides of the ball, it will just be an issue of depth.”

Junior-college transfers took two of the four starting spots on the defensive line. Sophomore Monroe Weekley (6-4, 256) will start at end, and junior Chuck Jones (6-4, 295) will start at tackle.

Senior Cory Kipp (6-4, 280) and junior end David McMillan (6-3, 240) are penciled in at the other two spots.

¢¢¢ Hear Mark: Aug. 25 Big 12 Coaches teleconference¢ Updated depth chart

Two other junior-college transfers won starting jobs on defense. Sophomore Gabe Toomey (6-4, 235) will line up at middle linebacker between returning sophomore linebackers Nick Reid (6-4, 220) and Banks Floodman (6-3, 230).

Junior Shelton Simmons (5-11, 175) won the starting job at cornerback from senior Remuise Johnson (5-8, 170), who led KU with six interceptions last season.

“There is no question that we are going to be better on defense this year,” Mangino said. “How quickly we will jell, how quickly everyone will understand their assignments and developing a chemistry will all be very important to our defense. They all have to be on the same page and must understand their responsibilities. When it happens, I don’t know, but I hope it happens this Saturday.”

There were a few surprises in Monday’s depth chart. Junior John McCoy (6-3, 250) an All-American linebacker in junior college, was listed as a backup defensive end.

Junior-college tackle Phil Tuihalamaka (6-3, 323) did not make the two-deep.

Red-shirt freshman walk-on Jonathan Lamb (6-2, 190) is listed No. 1 at free safety ahead of junior-college transfer Rodney Fowler (6-1, 198).

In addition to returning punts, Gordon (5-11, 165) won the starting job at flanker ahead of senior Derick Mills (5-7, 165).

• Mizzou kickoff: A source in the KU athletic office confirmed reports Monday that the Sept. 27 home game against Missouri will be at 11:30 a.m. and likely will be broadcast by Fox. No official announcement will be made until next month.