Kansas University students will start the spring semester Jan. 23, and KU’s football team will begin its winter conditioning program the same day.

While some Jayhawks might not look forward to early morning workouts — or going back to class — Rodney Harris can’t wait.

Harris, one of five junior-college transfers expected to enroll for the second semester, sat out last fall at San Bernadino Valley College because of a groin injury he suffered during track season.

“I wanted to play my sophomore season and let everybody see that I can play,” said Harris, who was an all-conference defensive back as a freshman. “It was very hard because I have a passion for football, but it worked out for the best.”

Harris didn’t have the chance to showcase his talent on the field, so he used videotape instead. The 6-foot, 190-pounder sent game film to Kansas, Washington State, Oregon State and Utah. All four schools offered him a scholarship.

The Fontana, Calif., product made his first campus visit Dec. 5 to Lawrence. It turned out to be his last. Harris committed to KU, canceled his other visits and signed a letter of intent a few weeks later.

“I loved it out there,” said Harris, whose campus host was junior defensive back Tony Stubbs. “I liked the atmosphere.”

Harris will try to help improve a secondary that was shredded for 481 passing yards in a 56-26 loss to North Carolina State in the Tangerine Bowl.

“He’s very aggressive, very smart, a great tackler with great feet,” San Bernadino Valley interim coach Ken Blumenthal said. “He has a nose for the ball and is a sure tackler.”

Harris said he hoped to play free safety for KU, but would be willing to fill another role. Freshman starter Jonathan Lamb and sophomore backup Rodney Fowler both are expected to return.

“I’m going to work as hard as I can and let the coaches decide where I can help the team most,” Harris said. “It doesn’t matter. Wherever the ball is, that’s where I’ll be.”

Starting Tuesday, Harris will be in Lawrence.

He might not have had the Division One opportunity without the year off from junior-college football.

“It helped me tremendously to sit out this year,” said Harris, who has three years of eligibility remaining. “I got my grades together. My GPA had fallen off. It gave me an opportunity to focus and get ready for the university.

“All the hard work I put in to get to this point … it just makes me want to keep going to see what I can do.”

Two Tyler Junior College teammates — defensive end Jermail Ashley (6-5, 245) and defensive back Theodore Baines (5-10, 180) — are expected to join Harris on campus this month, along with City College of San Francisco quarterback Jason Swanson (6-1, 190) and Chaffey College offensive lineman Alan Erving (6-5, 300).