Ballyhooed Texas linebacker comes to Kansas

Every year, someone sneaks into Kansas University’s preseason football workouts ready to make an unforeseen impact.

Brandon Duncan, a highly touted linebacker out of football-rich Texas, is keeping that annual tradition of August alive.

A Kansas spokesperson confirmed this week that Duncan was in Lawrence working out with the Jayhawks. Duncan originally committed to Texas, but didn’t ink his letter of intent on signing day for unspecified reasons.

A Dallas Morning News post-signing-day report said that, at the time, Duncan still planned to sign with Texas sometime after Feb. 2. But, apparently, Duncan and Texas had a falling-out after that, and the 6-foot-3, 210-pound linebacker came to Kansas instead.

Attempts to reach Duncan’s high school coach, Flint Risien, and others close to Duncan’s situation were unsuccessful Tuesday.

Duncan comes from Lakeview Centennial High in Garland, a suburb of Dallas – the same school attended by current KU defensive tackle James McClinton, who is a year older. Duncan was offered by a majority of the Big 12 schools by June of 2004, including Kansas, Kansas State, Texas A&M, Texas Tech and Texas. Rivals.com ranked him as one of the top outside linebacker prospects in the country, as well as one of the top players in Texas.

He certainly is the highest-rated incoming freshman of the 2005 class now, a group that includes quarterback Kerry Meier, tight end Josh Bell, running back Angus Quigley and defensive lineman Caleb Blakesley.

Considering the talent and depth of KU’s linebacker corps – which returns seniors Nick Reid, Kevin Kane and Banks Floodman – Duncan seems like a candidate to take a red shirt at this point, though no official word has come out of KU’s camp.

“Once he puts on some weight, he can play anywhere, from linebacker to defensive end,” former Lakeview Centennial assistant coach Roman Alexander told rivals.com. “If he works hard, he will be a good player.”

Two years ago, free safety Rodney Fowler emerged as a late roster addition after playing one season at Pasadena (Calif.) City College, and is now the projected starter at free safety. Last year, offensive lineman Matt Mann showed up in the summer after playing at Northeastern Oklahoma, and wide receiver Marcus Henry was a late addition after originally planning on attending NEO.

¢ New home: A pair of 2006 KU commits seem to have found a new home for now.

Xavier Rambo and Anthony Webb, high school teammates at Wilmer-Hutchins High in Dallas, were forced to choose a new school after Wilmer-Hutchins closed this summer for severe financial reasons.

The pair did so, electing to attend nearby South Oak Cliff, along with about 20 former Wilmer-Hutchins teammates, SOC coach J.B. Wallace said Tuesday.

Kansas already had South Oak Cliff ties. Current KU wide receiver Dexton Fields is a graduate of the school.

¢ Power foot: KU’s future at kicker might turn out to be pretty solid.

Alex Hanson, an incoming freshman from Ankeny, Iowa, played in last month’s Iowa Shrine Bowl at Jack Trice Stadium, and had a perfect night with the leg.

Hanson converted both extra-point attempts, booted a 40-yard field goal against the wind, and had three kickoffs sail into the end zone.

KU loses strong-legged Johnny Beck from last year’s team, meaning the competition for duties between Scott Webb, transfer Dane Broadie and Hanson could be intense. Last year, Mangino split up responsibilities, making Beck in charge of longer field goals and kickoffs, while Webb did shorter field goals and extra points.

¢ Walk-on no more: Free State High graduate Philip Weinmaster, orginally planning to walk on at KU, decided to attend nearby Baker University to play football instead.

A 6-foot-2, 240-pounder, Weinmaster played center and defensive tackle for the Firebirds last season, and recently played for the East squad in the Kansas Shrine Bowl.

¢ Opening up: KU will have an open practice at 8:30 a.m. Thursday at the practice fields adjacent to Hoglund Ballpark. The public is invited to attend.

Later Thursday, KU will hold its media day at Memorial Stadium, where the new uniforms formally will be introduced.