Kansas University defensive coordinator Bill Young will get his first look at prized defensive line recruits James McClinton, Todd Haselhorst and Anthony Collins today when the Jayhawks open preseason football camp.

Young, who also coaches the defensive line, can hardly wait.

“There will be growing pains,” Young said of the true freshmen. “We’ll be patient with them. In a perfect world, you’d redshirt all your freshmen and give them time to develop. In our situation, we’ll expect somebody out of that group to contribute. They are talented, and we feel like they can help us.”

Kansas lost three senior starters from last year’s defensive line, and four other linemen left the program without completing their eligibility. Senior end John McCoy was the eighth lineman crossed off the roster when McCoy, an Army Reservist, was called to active duty last month.

The Jayhawks also are waiting to see if Minnesota West Community College end Charlton Keith earned his eligibility during summer school. Minnesota West coach Jeff Linder said Friday that Keith should learn Monday whether he had met academic requirements.

“Depth on the defensive line is our biggest concern going in,” Young said. “Losing John McCoy hurt, but it gives young players on the defensive line a chance to play, particularly at defensive end.”

Collins (6-foot-6, 250 pounds) was an all-district and all-state selection last fall at Beaumont (Texas) Central High.

“He has all the physical tools to be a good player,” Young said. “But we haven’t coached him on the field yet. I haven’t had a chance to coach him, so the jury is still out on how quickly he can pick up the system.”

The same could be said for tackles Haselhorst (6-4, 300) and McClinton (6-1, 295). All three freshmen were on campus for summer workouts.

“They’re going to get a good look,” Young said. “We have to give them a look early and see who’s ready to play.”

Senior David McMillan (6-3, 240) has started 25 consecutive games and is a lock for one of the starting spots at end. Junior-college transfer Jermail Ashley (6-5, 250) also opens camp as a first-string end, having assumed the spot vacated by McCoy. Senior Greg Tyree (6-0, 245) also could be in the mix after moving from linebacker in the spring.

Senior Travis Watkins (6-4, 295) returns at tackle after being limited to two games because of a broken foot last season. Watkins started 22 games as a freshman and sophomore.

Sophomore Chris Brant (6-3, 285) was at the top of the depth chart at the other tackle spot after spending the 2003 season on the scout team. Junior Tim Allen (6-1, 260), who started seven games as a red-shirt freshman in 2001 and played a backup role in all 13 games last season, was No. 2 at that position.

Kansas players reported to campus Friday, and the Jayhawks will open preseason camp with a closed practice this afternoon. KU’s first open practice will be 8:30 a.m. Monday on the field behind Anschutz Sports Pavilion.

The Jayhawks will open the season Sept. 4, when they play host to Tulsa.