Mark Mangino must feel pretty good about the four defensive backs he signed last month. Kansas University’s football coach said he didn’t expect freshman John Randle to play cornerback next season.

“John’s doing a great job at tailback,” Mangino said. “We’re not even sure we’ll use him at cornerback anymore. That’s something we’re still discussing. … We’re probably right now counting on him doing a heck of a job at tailback.”

Randle rushed for 499 yards and two touchdowns as a true freshman, but KU’s secondary was so shaky that Mangino used him and red-shirt freshman receiver Clark Green at cornerback for the final four games.

KU’s backfield could be crowded if San Antonio Madison High recruit Gary Green II is as good as advertised. As a senior, he rushed for 1,721 yards and 23 touchdowns, caught 11 passes for 191 yards and a TD and also scored on a punt return. He could join Randle and two-year starter Clark Green on the field next fall.

Clark Green has rushed for 1,694 yards and 10 TDs in his first two seasons.

Gordon’s future is uncertain. He led KU with 53 catches for 696 yards and four touchdowns last season, but Mangino said the Californian would be working both sides of the ball when spring drills began March 14.

But Mangino doesn’t want the double duty to extend into the Freshman All-American’s sophomore season. The coach said he wants Gordon “on one side or the other,” or to play him primarily at one position with a maximum or “eight to 10 snaps” at the other.

¢

Quarterback quandary: Mangino won’t be handing the starting job at quarterback to Adam Barmann.

Or Jason Swanson.

“The quarterback position is wide open,” Mangino told fans at a Big Blue Monday gathering in Overland Park. “Nobody has and lead. Nobody has an edge. We’ll monitor it closely.”

Barmann (6-foot-4, 210 pounds) passed for 564 yards and four touchdowns in three games as a freshman while filling in injured senior starter Bill Whitemore.

Swanson (6-1, 190) is expected to push Barmann after passing for 3,652 and 27 touchdowns in two seasons at City College of San Francisco. He transferred at semester and will participate in spring drills.

“We think he’s a talented guy, and he fits our system well,” Mangino said.

The coach isn’t concerned about a quarterback controversy.

“After experiencing my first two years here, you can never have too many quarterbacks,” said Mangino, who used seven quarterbacks — including four different starters — in two seasons because of injuries.

¢

Hail Cesar: One player KU fans are eager to see next month is 6-7 lineman Cesar Rodriguez, who wasn’t ready to play left tackle last fall at 253 pounds.

“Cesar is doing well,” Mangino said. “He’s getting bigger and stronger. He’s going to challenge for the left tackle job. He’s very athletic, and he’s nasty on the field. Off the field, he’s a great kid and does all the things you want him to do. But he doesn’t take crap off anybody.”

KU must find a replacement for senior starter Adrian Jones.

¢

Speak of the devil: Jones bolstered his draft position with a good showing at last week’s NFL Scouting Combine. The Texan moved from tight end to tackle — at Mangino’s urging — last spring.

“Adrian Jones had a real good workout, and now he’s really happy we moved him from tight end to tackle,” Mangino quipped. “If he was still a tight end, he’d be here with us tonight to help drive us home or something. He’s got a chance to play in the NFL, and we’re real happy for him.”

¢

Stumping for stadium: Mangino reiterated his desire to have a football-only complex at Memorial Stadium, and he said he thought athletic director Lew Perkins would make it a reality.

“Since we moved from the Big Eight to the Big 12, KU has not kept up in football,” Mangino said. “But we’re changing it. We’ve got Lew Perkins now.”

Mangino has said the complex would make the day-to-day operations of the program easier, help recruiting and also would free up needed office space in Wagnon Center for other sports.

“I hound Lew every day,” Mangino quipped. “‘How much money did you raise today, Lew?”’

¢

Mims denied: Junior-college transfer Zach Mims sat out last season because of academic issues, and the NCAA denied his appeal. The junior linebacker will still have two years to complete his eligibility after last year’s red-shirt season.

“He looks good,” Mangino said. “He’s working really hard in the offseason program. He runs really well.”

KU would appear to have an overabundance of linebackers. Starters Banks Floodman, Nick Reid and Gabriel Toomey were all sophomores in 2003, as were backups Kevin Kane and Brandon Perkins (who also played end). The Jayhawks added two high school linebackers — Shawnee Mission Northwest’s Mike Rivera and Californian Joe Mortensen — during recruiting.

It’s possible a few linebackers could switch positions, but Mangino said no moves were imminent.

“There’s never enough linebackers,” Mangino said. “It’s like quarterback and tailback. Those guys come in, and there’s collisions on every play.”

Mangino was pleased with the late addition of Mortensen, an all-state selection from Concord, Calif.

“We always keep our ear to the ground when it comes to recruiting,” Mangino said. “We pay attention to kids who might be overlooked or qualify late.”

Rivera and Olathe East lineman Todd Haselhort both attended the Big Blue Monday gathering at Fieldhouse Sports Cafe and were given rousing ovations during a highlight tape showcasing each of KU’s recruits.

¢

Running away: Graduate assistant Mitch Running, a former Kansas State standout, has left the program to coach in a French pro league.

“He’s a young guy, and he wanted to give that a shot,” Mangino said. “It’ll be a lot of fun for him.”

In another move, Rajeeb Hossain has moved from KU’s ticket office to take over the role of administrative assistant in the football office. He replaces Seth Littrell, who will be the offensive graduate assistant.

Mangino’s full-time staff is expected to return intact.

¢

What’s next: The football team will have its awards ceremony 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Lied Center. … Spring practice begins March 14 and concludes April 18 with the spring game at Memorial Stadium.