In this world of now, in this contemporary what-have-you-done-for-me-lately mentality, retrospectives are as exciting as a two-day-old burrito.

For example, the Associated Press announced last week that Kansas University football players Charles Gordon and Nick Reid had been named first-team All-Big 12 Conference.

Without question, both were deserving, yet the most significant aspect of Gordon and Reid ascending to ground virtually untrod by previous KU players was ignored.

What was it that made them so special? They were members of Mark Mangino’s first recruiting class.

Reid and Gordon signed with Kansas a little more than two months after Mangino accepted the Jayhawks’ head-coaching job in December of 2001.

More often than not, when a coach takes over that late, his first recruiting class is well below average. The coach first has to assemble a staff to do the recruiting, then he has to identify the players he wants to recruit, and finally he has to arrange to bring them for campus visits.

At the same time, the coach knows he needs immediate help, so he often loads up on junior-college players looking for a quick fix. Mangino did sign a few juco players that first year — notably quarterback Bill Whittemore — but he wasn’t myopic. Mangino opted mostly for high school seniors.

Some of those signees are no longer around — attrition is inevitable — but the bulk still are on Mount Oread and will form the nucleus of the 2005 team, most as fourth-year juniors because they took red-shirt seasons.

Mangino signed 17 high school seniors that year. Here’s an update on their status (player took red-shirt season in ’02 unless noted):

Jon Cornish — The lone Canadian — he hails from British Columbia — on the roster, Cornish is listed as a running back, but plays primarily on special teams.

Travis Dambach — Offensive tackle from Jackson, Mo., who was an alternate starter on the right side.

Derek Fine — Tight end from Sallisaw, Okla., who actually didn’t enroll until 2003 because of illness, took red shirt and logged time on special teams and as Lyonel Anderson’s caddy.

Charles Gordon — Suburban Los Angeles product led the Jayhawks in receptions in 2003 and made All-Big 12 at defensive back in 2004. Clear-cut plum of Mangino’s first recruiting crop.

Joe Hogan — Quarterback who played high school ball with Fine in Sallisaw, Okla. Hogan took red shirt in 2002 and departed after walking the sidelines in 2003.

Dexter Jackson — Defensive back from Miami who didn’t show up.

Kevin Kane — Linebacker out of tradition-rich Kansas City (Mo.) Rockhurst High who isn’t big, isn’t fast, but is smart, makes plays and has been durable. Arguably, the Jayhawks’ most underrated defensive player. Has not taken red shirt.

Jerome Kemp — Touted Wichita prep running back was switched to secondary and plays mostly on special teams.

Kyle Knighton — Defensive end from Weston, Mo., who transferred to Missouri Western after two seasons at KU.

Jerome Lewis — Wide receiver from Carrollton, Texas, who showed up, but left during ’02 preseason camp for reasons Mangino declined to reveal.

David Ochoa — Offensive lineman from Houston who started every game at right guard last fall. May be heir apparent to departed center Joe Vaughn.

Brandon Perkins — Pass rusher deluxe who plays mostly in nickel-package situations. Houston native has not taken red shirt.

Nick Reid — High school quarterback from Derby who had short look at safety then was switched to linebacker where he was thrown to the wolves in ’02. Early on-the-job training paid off. Should be an All-America candidate as a senior.

Dominic Roux — Undersized (5-11, 175) wide receiver from L.A. area who has not climbed above reserve status.

Mark Simmons — Suburban Dallas product has 111 receptions in three seasons and will go into senior year with legitimate shot at Willie Vaughn’s school career record of 133 catches.

Kenneth Thompson — Defensive back from suburban Dallas who did not qualify and, like Fine, did not enroll until 2003. Has seen duty as nickel back, but is used mostly on special teams.

Bob Whitaker — Fixture at offensive guard the last two seasons, this 315-pound junior-to-be hails from Mangino country — western Pennsylvania.