The war in Iraq has filtered down to Kansas University’s football team.

John McCoy, a senior defensive end, was informed this week that his Army Reserve Unit soon would be mobilized. McCoy and the Lawrence-based 317th Quartermaster Battalion are scheduled for specialized training at Fort Riley near Junction City in the coming weeks.

“We support John as we support all of our troops,” KU coach Mark Mangino said. “We pray for his safe and speedy return. Our team will definitely miss John this year. We expected him to have a big impact on the football field.”

McCoy’s military career began after his senior year of high school in Richwood, Ohio. Without a scholarship to an NCAA Division I-A university, McCoy made a goal to pay for college on his own by joining the Army Reserves.

He earned All-America honors at Victor Valley College after making 114 tackles as a sophomore middle linebacker.

Kansas, which was loaded at linebacker and thin on the defensive line, moved the 6-foot-3, 250-pound transfer to defensive end last season. He made 11 tackles in 12 games as a junior reserve.

He adapted to his new position, however, and was first on the depth chart after spring drills. His progress was clear in the spring game when he made three tackles for loss.

McCoy was not available for comment Wednesday, but he made his feelings clear after the spring game in April — soon after his unit had been put on alert.

6Sports video: McCoy mobilized

“I can always come back,” he said of KU. “It would be hard to leave because of everything I’ve worked for, but duty calls.”