Kansas University quarterbacks Kerry Meier and Todd Reesing often approached the line of scrimmage with the rest of the offense early in the play clock during Sunday’s spring game – without a huddle – and then gazed toward the KU sideline for advice.

Perhaps this is what coach Mark Mangino meant a month ago when he said the coaching staff was simplifying parts of the offense for his young QBs. It appeared some audibles were being called from the sideline, taking some responsibility out of the quarterbacks’ hands and allowing them simply to execute.

Other Big 12 Conference schools like Missouri have a similar approach toward attacking defenses, and it’s proven to work.

“I think their game management is better,” Mangino said of Meier and Reesing, “although it’s pretty obvious to see we’ve taken a great deal of the thinking process off of them and just gave them a chance to play and make plays. That was important for us as coaches to do.”

¢ Recruits on hand: As many as 30 high school football players planned to attend the spring game on unofficial visits. Among those present was Harrisonville (Mo.) athlete Sean Ransburg, who committed to the Jayhawks last week.

Also on hand, according to Rivals.com, was Kale Pick, a 6-foot-1, 185-pound quarterback out of Dodge City. Pick has offers on the table from Kansas, Iowa State and Colorado State.

¢ Back to Ohio?: Rivals.com’s Jeremy Crabtree reported Monday that Kansas extended an offer to high school junior Whitney Mercilous, a 6-3, 225-pound defensive end out of Akron, Ohio.

It may confirm KU’s renowned interest in recruiting talent-rich Ohio, especially with new offensive coordinator Ed Warinner’s ties to the region. Kansas picked up a late commitment from Jeff Spikes out of Painesville, Ohio, earlier this year after Warinner’s hiring in January.

Spikes was the first prep standout out of Ohio to sign with KU since Mangino was hired, though juco transfers John McCoy and Charlton Keith are Ohio natives.