KU defensive linemen excited about season

It all starts on the defensive line.

Every one of the linemen will tell you that a successful defense — something the Kansas University football team hasn’t had in some time — starts in the trenches, plugging up holes and pressuring quarterbacks to flutter wobbly passes into the secondary’s arms.

That might worry those who thought KU’s line was the weak spot of the defense, but don’t tell that to anyone associated with it. They don’t buy it.

“We’re excited,” defensive coordinator and line coach Bill Young said. “Everybody’s just so much better. They’re bigger, faster and stronger.”

And, unfortunately for KU, thinner. The line already has taken some hits this year, losing Army Reservist John McCoy to active duty, and several other players because of graduation, transferring or other off-field issues. That leaves three-year starter David McMillan at end, three-year starter Travis Watkins at tackle, and a lot of openings to be filled with talent.

Perhaps the most encouraging news of the preseason was the eligibility that was awarded to junior-college transfer Charlton Keith on Wednesday. Though undersized now at 218 pounds, Keith likely will be an impact player at defensive end once he gains weight. As a red-shirt freshman at Minnesota, Keith registered seven sacks as a starter before transferring to Minnesota West Community College.

“We’re looking forward to seeing what he can do. There’s no question that he has a lot of athletic ability,” Young said of Keith. “He’ll have to gain a little bit of weight, but I don’t know how much he can gain with his body structure.”

For now, McMillan and junior-college transfer Jermial Ashley are atop the depth chart at defensive end, while Watkins and sophomore Chris Brant are the starting tackles. As early as it is, though, perhaps only Watkins and McMillan have nailed down starting gigs.

Young and head coach Mark Mangino also have been impressed with two freshmen, tackles James McClinton and Todd Haselhorst. Both bring size to the line, each weighing close to 300 pounds.

Haselhorst, a decorated offensive and defensive lineman at Olathe East last year, has shown considerable athleticism, too. O-East’s bread-and-butter play in 2003 was the toss sweep with Haselhorst swinging out wide to provide the lead block. Behind his play, current O-East senior and Division One recruit Andre Jones rushed for 2,000 yards last year.

It’s a lot different from high school to the Big 12 Conference, but McClinton and Haselhorst are receiving high praise from their coaches and teammates.

Kansas University defensive linemen, from left, Travis Watkins, James McClinton and Jermial Ashley, strike a pose. The linemen said during Media Day on Wednesday at KU's Memorial Stadium they need to have good seasons for the Jayhawks' defense to be successful.

“They’re learning fast,” Watkins said. “It’s a real fast-paced game right now. In two-a-days, you’re so close to the season, the coaches aren’t trying to develop the players, they’re trying to polish things off.”

Which makes Watkins’ and McMillan’s presence even larger. Watkins returns for his senior year after suffering a foot injury that sidelined him for most of last season.

McMillan, meanwhile, looks to occupy a starting defensive end spot for the third straight season.

As a junior, McMillian showed his playmaking abilities several times — recording six tackles for a loss, three sacks, an interception returned for a touchdown and a fumble recovery for a TD. He’s the last of the Killeen, Texas, pipeline that included former Jayhawks David Winbush, Carl Ivey and Reggie Duncan.

What kind of seasons Watkins and McMillan have remains to be seen. Ask them, and they’ll tell you it could be pretty reflective on how the entire defense does.

No pressure, right?

“For our defense to shine and really have a good season,” Watkins said, “it’s contingent on me and David having a good season.”


Kansas University football season-ticket holders will gain five permanent Williams Fund points for purchasing 2004 season tickets, KU athletic director Lew Perkins announced Friday.

For those who have already purchased football season tickets, an additional five priority points per ticket will be added to their total.

This offer is also available to anyone who purchases KU football tickets between now and Aug. 31. There is a maximum of 20 points for four tickets.