Kansas University has big holes to fill on its offensive line.

The Jayhawks — who lost four senior starters — think they found the big bodies to help fill those gaps with junior-college transfers Joe Vaughn, Johnny Urrutia and Richard Estrella.

Vaughn (6-foot-2, 286 pounds) arrived from Northeastern Oklahoma in January and wrapped up the starting job at center during spring drills.

“Joe Vaughn works his (tail) off,” said Chris Dawson, KU director of strength and conditioning. “We’ll be a better team because of Joe Vaughn.”

Vaughn was a second-team All-American last season when he helped NEO win a conference title and reach the Red River Bowl. The Golden Norsemen were ranked second in the final NJCAA poll.

Coach Mark Mangino has said he expected Vaughn to be his starting center when the Jayhawks open the season Aug. 30 at home against Northwestern.

“It’s good for me to know that,” Vaughn said of his place on the depth chart. “At the same time, there’s going to be other guys pushing me. It depends on how you play every week. You can say you have the position, but if you don’t perform well or if someone performs better than you, that person should start instead of you.”

Sophomore Justin Henry (6-4, 285), red-shirt freshman Chris Roberts (6-1, 285) and true freshman Zack Hood (6-4, 255) also could play center.

While Vaughn is considered a lock for KU’s starting lineup, other roles on the line are less settled.

Urrutia said that uncertainty should motivate the linemen.

“I think that’s good,” he said. “No one really knows who’s going to start, so everyone is practicing and lifting weights. Everyone has a good attitude. It’s not like the line is set. It’s up in the air. Whoever wants it more is going to get it.”

Senior Adrian Jones (6-5, 275) is expected to start at left tackle after moving from tight end in the spring. Danny Lewis (6-4, 295) is the only other senior on the inexperienced line.

KU has an abundance of red-shirt freshmen. Roberts, Travis Dambach (6-4, 260), David Ochoa (6-4, 271) and Bob Whitaker (6-5, 325) all sat out last fall.

Junior Tony Coker (6-5, 320) is the only returning starter. He made nine starts at right tackle last season before struggling with an injury late in the year. He is expected to move to left guard.

Estrella (6-4, 285) was a two-time all-conference pick at Cerritos Community College in California. The highly-sought after tackle had scholarship offers from Arizona State, Colorado State, New Mexico, Syracuse, UNLV, West Virginia and Bowling Green.

Urrutia (6-3, 336) can play either guard spot and hopes to earn the starting job on the right side. He’ll have to battle a handful of returning players, including Henry and junior Nick McCaslin (6-2, 285).

Urrutia, who arrived for summer workouts May 31, already has impressed some of his new teammates.

“He’s really aggressive,” said junior defensive tackle Travis Watkins, who’s seen the newcomer during voluntary one-on-one drills. “For being that big, he runs real well. He’s quick. He’s got great hands.”

The 6-foot-3 Urruita (pronounced You-roo-tee-uh) weighed 355 pounds when he reported to campus and has slimmed down to 336 and hopes to play between 320 and 325.

“I’m losing fat and gaining more lean muscle,” said Urrutia a two-time all-conference selection at Mt. San Antonio College who was rated among the top-five guards in the nation by rivals.com. “I’m getting stronger and faster. I’m definitely stronger than ever before. With the strength and conditioning program they have here, it’s unbelievable. This is the best shape of my life. Coach Dawson has me doing things I never thought I would be able to do.”

Urrutia has improved his bench press from 335 pounds in junior college to 375 during the summer.

In addition to working out four days a week, the offensive linemen drill with the defensive linemen three days a week and have two “chalk talk” sessions each week to discuss plays and techniques. Players also have been watching film of Northwestern all summer.

“The summer routine takes its toll on you, but you know it makes you better,” Vaughn said. “We’re ready for practices to start.”

Preseason camp will be vital for the linemen, who will be battling each other for playing time while learning to work together as a unit. Newcomers like Estrella and Urrutia will have the added pressure of learning a new offense.

“He’s about 340, almost 350, and he runs like he’s 300 pounds — maybe not even that,” Watkins said of Urrutia. “He gives effort, and he never quits. He’s really earned my respect as far as working hard in the weight room. But we put pads on here in a few weeks, and we’ll find out then.”