Recruiting good football players can be difficult. Keeping them might be even harder.

According to rivals.com, Kansas University has lost two more players who had given oral commitments, but the Jayhawks picked up three new recruits on Monday.

First, the defections.

Vancouver defensive end Jon Conlin and Northeastern Oklahoma cornerback Brandon Johnson had given oral commitments to play at KU. Oral commitments, however, are not binding, and Conlin has switched his commitment to Washington State. Johnson, one of three NEO players who had committed to Kansas, plans to transfer to Tennessee after graduation from junior college.

The Jayhawks also lost Garland, Texas, running back Taurance Rawls during the weekend when he switched his commitment from Kansas to Texas Tech.

The first recruit to jump ship was Kansas City Schlagle tight end Rashaad Norwood. The top-rated player in the Kansas City area will sign with Kansas State.

Rivals, however, reported that the Jayhawks have picked up three new recruits, including two from St. Louis.

Tony King, an all-state receiver and all-metro defensive back from McCluer North in St. Louis made an official visit to Kansas during the weekend and committed to KU.

King (6-foot-3, 185 pounds) made 108 tackles and also caught 24 passes for 569 yards. He also was recruited by Missouri, Illinois and Wisconsin. KU recruited him as a receiver, according to rivals.com.

The other St. Louis recruit who committed to KU is Parkway West defensive end Andy Temple (6-3, 225). Temple was an all-state selection and defensive player of the year in his conference.

KU cushioned the blow of losing Johnson by picking up another highly touted defensive back, Georgia Military cornerback Shelton Simmons (5-11, 190).

Signing day is Feb. 5.

Kansas Commitments

Football players who have signed letters of intent and enrolled for the spring semester with position, height, weight and school:

Lyonel Anderson, WR, 6-4, 230, Alfred State (N.Y.)

Joe Vaughn, OL, 6-3, 290, Northeastern Oklahoma A&M

Players who have given nonbinding oral commitments with position, height, weight and school:

Adam Barmann, QB, 6-3, 195, West Platte (Weston, Mo.)

Markeith Childress, DB, 5-11, 190, Long Beach City College

Richard Estrella, OL, 6-4, 285, Cerritos CC (Norwalk, Calif.)

Moderick Johnson, WR, 6-5, 200, Houston North Shore

Chuck Jones, DL, 6-4, 275, Pasadena (Calif.) City College

Tony King, WR, 6-3, 185, St. Louis McCluer North

Reid Kirby, OL, 6-4, 285, Oak Park (Kansas City, Mo.)

Brandon McAnderson, LB, 6-0, 220, Lawrence High

John McCoy, LB, 6-3, 255, Victor Valley CC (Calif.)

Emmanuel Phillips, DE, 6-5, 250, Cypress, Texas

Michael Pruitt, DT, 6-2, 280, Northeastern Oklahoma A&M

Cesar Rodriguez, OL, 6-7, 250, La Puente (Calif.) Amat High

Bruce Ringwood, LB, 6-1, 200, Blue Springs, Mo.

Shelton Simmons, DB, 5-11, 190, Georgia Military

Andy Temple, DE, 6-3, 225, St. Louis Parkway West

Gabe Toomey, LB, 6-4, 230, Iowa Central CC

Johnny Urrutia, OL, 6-4, 315, Mt. San Antonio CC (Calif.)

Scott Webb, K, 5-11, 179, Tulsa (Okla.) Union