The Kansas University football team’s first big weekend of the recruiting season culminated Sunday with three commitments from defensive linemen — the position losing the most senior starters.

Two high school linemen and a junior-college lineman gave their word to KU’s coaching staff before leaving Lawrence, a fulfilling conclusion to a weekend during which KU entertained around 15 recruits.

The Jayhawks received nonbinding oral commitments from Russell Brorsen, a 6-foot-4, 235-pound end from Stillwater, Okla., Bobby Johnson, a 6-3, 270-pound end/tackle from Kansas City, (Mo.) Westport High, and Wayne Wilder, a 6-3, 295-pound tackle at Garden City Community College.

“They’re starting to build a base,” Jon Kirby, recruiting analysis for rivals.com, said of KU. “I’ve always said that defensive line is the toughest position to recruit on the football field. There just aren’t as many of them.”

With David McMillan, Travis Watkins and Greg Tyree out of eligibility for the 2005 season, Sunday’s news assured KU that help was on the way. The Jayhawks now have four known commitments on the defensive line alone — Sunday’s trio and defensive tackle Caleb Blakesley of Ottawa, who gave KU coach Mark Mangino his word in August.

Of the four, Wilder might be the best bet to contribute immediately. The Macon, Ga., native said he was set to graduate from Garden City this month, meaning he’d be available to enroll at KU in January and join the Jayhawks for spring practices. In addition, Wilder’s college experience, talent and maturity — he is 22 years old — will make him a candidate to step right in and contend for playing time.

Wilder was heavily recruited and originally interested in joining either South Carolina or Florida — but recent coaching changes at both Southeastern Conference schools forced him to look elsewhere.

Now, Kansas appears to be the choice for Wilder, who will have two years of eligibility remaining.

“Wayne Wilder, it’s safe to say, will be on the field,” Kirby said. “He’s the defensive tackle that everybody wants because he can occupy space and literally take a double-team.”

Brorsen, meanwhile, took a liking to KU after the Jayhawks were first to offer him a scholarship. The first-hand look of KU’s campus and his mingling with the team and coaches this weekend made his decision a lot easier.

“I went down there and I liked the school a lot,” said Brorsen, who also received attention from Tulsa and Navy. “There was no place I’d rather be.”

Currently, Brorsen is in wrestling season, where he’s ranked third in the tradition-rich state of Oklahoma in the heavyweight division. Last year, he finished with a 26-5 record and placed third in Class 5A.

Johnson, a senior at Westport High in Kansas City, seemed the most likely to commit after telling rivals.com prior to the trip that an official visit was the only holdup. Tulsa and Wyoming also offered Johnson, who was ranked among Missouri’s top 20 college prospects by rivals.com.

“Kansas was just on me the longest,” Johnson told rivals. “I got to know (KU assistant) Dave Doeren real well. He’s a good guy, and we talked a lot. I liked the way it always seemed like he was looking out for me.”

KU now has eight known commitments for the 2005 season. Oral commitments are nonbinding, and KU coaches cannot comment specifically on recruits until they sign a letter of intent. National signing day for football is Feb. 2.