Kansas football signees at a glance
February, 2005, Signees
Rodney Allen
(DE, 6-3, 275, Garden City CC)
Highest-rated player in Kansas University’s class, according to rivals.com. : A preseason junior-college All-American at defensive end who recorded 62 tackles and 10 sacks. : Picked Kansas over Kansas State, Oklahoma State, Iowa State and Cincinnati.
Kansas football newcomers
Signees
Rodney Allen, DE, 6-3, 275, Garden City CC
Marcus Anderson, OL, 6-3, 285, City College of San Francisco
Tang Bacheyie, DB-RB, 6-1, 195, Windsor, Ontario (Sandwich)
Josh Bell, TE, 6-7, 250, Hitchock, Texas
Caleb Blakesley, DL, 6-5, 277, Ottawa
Russell Brorsen, DE, 6-4, 235, Stillwater, Okla.
Paul Como, DL-LB, 6-2, 250, Saddleback (Calif.) College
Jake Cox, OL, 6-5, 295, Iowa Central CC
Alex Hanson, K, 6-0, 180, Ankeny, Iowa
James Holt, S, 6-3, 200, Altus, Okla.
Kerry Meier, QB, 6-3, 208, Pittsburg
Brian Murph, WR, 6-1, 185, Butler County CC
Raimond Pendleton, WR, 5-10, 180, Garland, Texas (South Garland)
Angus Quigley, RB, 6-2, 210, Cleburne, Texas
Jose Rodriguez, OL, 6-6, 255, La Puente, Calif. (Amat)
Jake Schermer, LB-S, 6-2, 200, Nixa, Mo. (Ozark)
Darrell Stuckey, DB, 6-1, 185, Kansas City, Kan. (Washington)
Justin Thornton, DB, 6-1, 185, St. Joseph, Mo. (Central)
Eric Washington, LB, 6-2, 220, Minnesota West CC
Adam Welty, OL, 6-6, 280, Newton
Jeff Wheeler, DE, 6-7, 240, Houston (Clear Lake)
Wayne Wilder, DT, 6-3, 295, Garden City CC
Arist Wright, LB, 6-0, 205, Houston (Alief Taylor)
Preferred Walk-Ons
Adam Booth, LB, 6-2, 215, Leavenworth
Ian Handshy, LB, 6-2, 210, Lawrence High
Josh Bell
(TE, 6-7, 250, Hitchcock, Texas)
Ranked as the 21st-best tight end prospect in the nation by rivals.com. : Has impressive speed (4.7 in 40-yard dash) for 6-7, 250-pound frame. : Picked Kansas over Oklahoma State, Syracuse, Wisconsin and Utah.
Caleb Blakesley
(DL, 6-5, 277, Ottawa)
Standout linemen on offense and defense at Ottawa High. : Will concentrate on defensive line at Kansas. : Missed most of his senior year because of a knee injury, but fully recovered by spring. : Won Kansas Class 5A state title in the shot put twice. : Picked Kansas over an early offer from Wyoming and interest from Colorado State, Northwestern and Kansas State.
Russell Brorsen
(DE, 6-4, 235, Stillwater, Okla.)
First-team all-state selection collected 287 tackles and 34 sacks during high school career. : Earned state heavyweight title in wrestling his senior year, finishing with a 32-2 record. : Also received interest from Oklahoma State, Navy and Tulsa.
Alex Hanson
(K, 6-0, 180, Ankeny, Iowa)
Booted 47 of 48 extra points, caused 39 touchbacks and made field goals as long as 47 yards during senior season. : Played in the Iowa Shrine Bowl in July. : Also a successful high school wrestler. : Signed as a non-scholarship player.
James Holt
(S, 6-3, 200, Altus, Okla.)
All-stater who played wide receiver, quarterback, safety, cornerback and returned kickoffs in high school, but was recruited as a safety. : Chose Kansas over Oklahoma State and Tulsa.
Kerry Meier
(QB, 6-3, 208, Pittsburg)
Consensus all-stater who passed for 930 yards and rushing for 634 more. : Ranked as the 14th-best dual-threat quarterback in the nation by rivals.com, as well as the top college prospect in Kansas. : Received offers from Colorado State, Kansas State, Texas A&M, Wyoming, Army, TCU and Tulsa. : Younger brother of former Kansas State and current New Orleans Saints tight end Shad Meier, as well as current K-State quarterback Dylan Meier and former Pittsburg State defensive back Adam Meier.
Raimond Pendleton
(WR, 5-10, 180, Garland, Texas)
KU’s lone February wide-receiver signee, Pendleton was a first-team all-stater . : Son of former Miami Dolphins cornerback Michael Pendleton. : Had 14 catches for 190 yards in game against Plano West. : Picked Kansas over Texas Tech, Utah, Georgia Tech, Iowa and Iowa State.
Angus Quigley
(RB, 6-2, 210, Cleburne, Texas)
Speedy running back from Texas chose Kansas just before signing day. : A big-play featured back and return specialist at Cleburne High. : Lettered in football, basketball and track. : Chose Kansas over Texas Christian.
Jose Rodriguez
(OL, 6-6, 255, La Puente, Calif.)
KU’s first commitment when he gave word to coaches in June of 2004. : Brother of KU offensive lineman Cesar Rodriguez brings similar height (6-6) but has room to gain pounds. : First-team All-San Gabriel Valley, and rated one of 50 best OT’s in the country by rivals.com. : Received interest from Oregon State, Arizona, Colorado State and Wyoming.
Jake Schermer
(LB-S, 6-2, 200, Nixa, Mo.)
Speedy prospect with size who could play linebacker or safety. : Three-time all-conference selection and an all-state performer as a senior. : All-time leading tackler in Ozark High history.
Darrell Stuckey
(DB, 6-1, 185, Kansas City, Kan.)
Early commitment who impressed KU coaches at multiple camps last summer. : Played running back and safety for Washington High in 2004, helping Wildcats to the city league title. : Rushed for 1,234 yards as the featured back for Washington, and grabbed eight interceptions on defense, returning two for touchdowns.
Justin Thornton
(DB, 6-1, 185, St. Joseph, Mo.)
One of top prospects in Missouri after being named all-city, all-conference, all-district and all-state as a wide receiver and defensive back. : Had four interceptions and 15 touchdown receptions as senior at Central High. : Also a standout hurdler. : Chose Kansas over Missouri, Nebraska and Northwestern.
Adam Welty
(OL, 6-6, 280, Newton)
Committed early after turning heads at a KU camp last summer. : Chosen to Class 5A All-State team after senior year at Newton High. : Invited to the Shrine Bowl. : Also lettered in track and field, and is accomplished powerlifter.
Jeff Wheeler
(DE, 6-7, 240, Houston)
Second-team all-state as a senior. : Lettered in football, track and field and lacrosse at Clear Lake High. : Picked Kansas over Colorado, Rice, Tulane and Duke.
Arist Wright
(LB, 6-0, 205, Houston)
Fast three-sport standout at Alief Taylor High. : Played linebacker and quarterback in football, and also was baseball standout and track athlete. : Committed to Kansas just before signing day, turning down offers from Tulane and Louisiana Tech.
December, 2004, Signees
Marcus Anderson
(OL, 6-3, 285, San Francisco CC)
Starting left tackle for 11-1 junior-college team. : Played with current KU quarterback Jason Swanson on Rams’ 2003 national-championship team. : Chose Kansas over Oregon State, San Diego State and New Mexico State.
Tang Bacheyie
(RB-DB, 6-1, 195, Windsor, Ontario)
Canadian standout originally signed with KU in 2003, but arrival was delayed until January because of injuries. : Signed as a defensive back but saw time at running back during spring drills. : Rushed three times for six yards in spring game. : Named All-Canadian and all-conference after senior season at Sandwich High.
Paul Como
(DL-LB, 6-2, 250, Saddleback CC)
Wrapped up spring ball on two-deep at defensive end, behind Charlton Keith. : Played outside linebacker for juco in Mission Viejo, Calif. Recorded seven sacks and 19 tackles for a loss during sophomore season. : Chose Kansas over Colorado State, Houston and San Diego State.
Jake Cox
(OL, 6-5, 295, Iowa Central CC)
Listed on two-deep at left guard following spring ball, behind Bob Whitaker. : Junior-college All-American at Iowa Central, blocking for two 1,000-yard rushers as sophomore. : Picked KU over Michigan State, Memphis, Ball State and Buffalo.
Brian Murph
(WR, 6-1, 185, Butler County CC)
Starred in spring game, catching seven passes for 110 yards and a touchdown. : Listed along with Mark Simmons as a starting receiver on depth chart. : Stood out at both wide receiver and punt returner for Butler County, helping Grizzlies to two NJCAA title-game appearances. : Chose Kansas over Cincinnati, Toledo, Memphis and Troy.
Eric Washington
(LB, 6-2, 220, Minnesota West CC)
Junior-college All-American who is expected to contribute immediately. : Recorded five tackles in spring game, third-most on blue squad. : Expected to back up Banks Floodman and Nick Reid at outside linebacker. : Had 42 tackles for losses as soph at Minnesota West.
Wayne Wilder
(DT, 6-3, 295, Garden City CC)
Juco transfer who brings a thick frame made for clogging holes on defensive line. : Played one year at Garden City after spending two years at Georgia Military College (one as a redshirt). : Collected 25 tackles, eight behind the line of scrimmage as sophomore.