David Ochoa didn’t lead Kansas University’s football team in any statistical categories last season.

The offseason has been a different story.

“He had the most hours of anyone last year in our community-service program, and he probably will again this year,” KU assistant coach Pat Henderson said of the sophomore lineman. “He’s a good young man. He always does the right thing.”

Ochoa was one of 11 Jayhawks painting a house for Habitat for Humanity on Saturday at 1816 Atherton Court in East Lawrence. It was the team’s second trip to the house — the organization’s 14th home in the neighborhood and 54th in Lawrence — this summer.

“We get a lot more work done when they come out,” said Joe Clemons, a custodial supervisor at the Lied Center who will move into the four-bedroom house with his four children. “The first time, they hung drywall and helped finish the roof. We could really use all that muscle for the drywall. We wouldn’t be nearly as far along if they hadn’t helped.”

The Jayhawks worked from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday in what likely was their last community-service project before summer conditioning ends July 28.

“It’s not that big of a sacrifice,” Ochoa said. “It’s a few hours on a Saturday morning. The thing that impressed me today was that the majority of the freshman class was here. They haven’t even put on a helmet for KU, and they’re out here helping the community. That really shows the quality of people our coaches are recruiting.”

The freshmen volunteers were Ryan Cantrell, Gary Green II, Matt Darton, Marcus Herford, James McClinton and a few walk-ons.

“It’s good on a lot of levels,” Ochoa said. “This helps you get to know some of the guys on the team you wouldn’t normally hang out with. It builds team unity. It’s also good to interact with the community and let them see we’re out here. Maybe they’ll remember and come support us.”

Kansas University football players Tim Allen, left, and Ryan Cantrell paint doors at a Habitat for Humanity house at 1816 Atherton Court. Eleven Jayhawks helped paint the house Saturday in East Lawrence.

After playing backup center and tackle last season, Ochoa will play center and guard this season. That means he likely will be backing up three returning starters — center Joe Vaughn and guards Tony Coker and Bob Whitaker.

“We’re fortunate,” Ochoa said. “Those guys are on the first team for a reason. Anyone that’s competitive wants to play, but you don’t want to play because somebody’s hurt.”

Offensive line coach Ed Warinner expects more this fall out of the third-year sophomore, who has bulked up from 6-foot-4, 250 pounds to 280.

“He’ll be so much better this year in terms of his athletic ability,” Warinner said.

Like Ochoa, junior defensive lineman Tim Allen signs up for virtually every project Henderson posts in the offseason. He spent Saturday in Clemons’ driveway painting doors with Cantrell.

Kansas University sophomore lineman David Ochoa paints the interior of the house.

“It’s enjoyable helping other people,” Allen said. “Who knows, someday I might need help, too. I want to give back to the community. They gave me a scholarship, and they support us at our games. If I have time, I try to come out and help as much as I can.”

Allen also hopes for a bigger role on the field after playing backup tackle last year. KU must replace three of its four starting defensive linemen, including both tackles.

“I think I have a good chance,” said Allen, a Dallas native who started seven games as a red-shirt freshman in 2002. “I have to better myself and prove what I can do and prove to the coaches that I can be a leader.”

KU players report for preseason camp Aug. 6.