Kansas high schools haven’t started preseason football practices yet, but the state’s top recruits already are going fast.

Silver Lake’s Scott Haverkamp has given Kansas University a non-binding oral commitment, joining a growing list of in-state seniors who are making their college choices early.

“I wanted to get the recruiting out of the way,” Haverkamp told Jon Kirby of rivals.com. “I committed to Kansas. I really liked their coaches after getting to work with them at camp. In a couple of years the program will be turned around. It’s a good fit for me, and I pulled the trigger.”

Haverkamp (6-foot-4, 280 pounds) spent time on KU’s campus at two camps last month. That gave the all-state lineman a chance to work with new offensive line coach Ed Warinner.

Haverkamp — who attended camps at Kansas, Kansas State and Missouri — also had drawn interest from Arizona State, K-State and MU, but he opted to take KU’s early offer.

Haverkamp is the Jayhawks’ first known commitment.

“Kansas has gone out and done what it needs to do,” Kirby said. “They’ve gotten out and identified the players they think can help them and made early offers to those players. They’ve tried to get a head start. The recruits I’ve talked to believe Kansas is doing things to make steps in the right direction.

“On the flip side, kids are going to think things over before committing to a 2-10 team.”

Several in-state and metro players have passed on the rebuilding Jayhawks. Overland Park Aquinas linebacker Lance Brandenburgh (6-1, 215) and Oak Park linebacker/running back Michael Keenan (6-2, 220) both picked Nebraska over the Jayhawks.

Kansas State is thought to have the edge in the recruitment of two Kansas preps ranked in the top 100 nationally. Winfield quarterback Nick Patton (6-3, 185) is rated the 77th player overall by rivals.com. He has received scholarship offers from KSU, KU, Colorado, Michigan State, Missouri, Nebraska and Tennessee, according to rivals.com. His father has denied reports that the QB committed to K-State.

Cherryvale offensive lineman Matt Boss (6-5, 298) is ranked 87th in the nation and has received offers from Kansas, KSU, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Kentucky, according to rivals.com. He also is thought to be leaning toward the Wildcats.

No need for KU fans to despair, Kirby said. This year’s senior class is a deep one.

“It’s a pretty good year in-state,” he said. “There’s still good players out there for the Jayhawks to get.”

That list includes Free State’s Dain Dillingham (6-2, 190). The receiver/defensive back has received offers from Kansas and Minnesota, according to rivals.com, and also has drawn interest from Colorado and K-State. Kirby called him one of the top 10 players in the state.

Many of the same schools are after Olathe East offensive lineman Todd Haselhorst (6-4, 284). The all-state pick has received offers from KU, KSU, Michigan State, Minnesota and Missouri, according to rivals.com.

Another highly regarded Kansan is Wichita Northwest running back/cornerback Odell Bell (5-10, 175). Bell missed time last season because of an ankle injury, but he still has received offers from Colorado State, Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma State and Wyoming, according to rivals.com

Oral commitments aren’t binding, and the destination of some recruits won’t be known until signing day in February. But fans can expect more seniors to make their decisions as the fall season nears.

“Now I can focus and try to help my team win a state championship,” Haverkamp told rivals.com. “I feel relieved about committing to KU. I’m confident in my decision and can focus on my senior year.”