Kansas University’s football roster is about to fatten up a little bit.

With spring-semester classes getting started next week, four mid-season transfers are soon to arrive in Lawrence and start classes. Three were junior-college players who graduated and signed last month – offensive lineman Chet Hartley, safety Patrick Resby and cornerback Kendrick Harper.

The fourth is an early high-school graduate. Linebacker Drew Dudley out of College Station, Texas, plans to move to Lawrence in the next few days and, like the juco transfers, participate in KU’s spring practices.

“He’s a very solid player,” said Jim Slaughter, Dudley’s high school coach at A&M Consolidated. “I’m going to miss the kid.”

Dudley starred for A&M Consolidated both on the football field and in the classroom. A self-described late bloomer physically, Dudley lettered just two seasons at Consolidated in part because he used to be too thin, weighing just 180 pounds as a sophomore.

A dedication to weights swelled Dudley up to about 220 pounds to go on his 6-foot-2 frame. As a bonus, he kept his standout speed, making him a promising linebacker prospect that KU was on early.

“He is a silent leader for us,” Slaughter said. “He’s not a real vocal type of kid, but he does everything you ask.

“He’s a very intelligent kid. Great football saavy. But he’s got 4.5, 4.6 40 (yard) speed. He has a lot of ability to go with his intelligence.”

Dudley is part of a growing trend of high-school players getting their credits done and leaving early for college. Kansas had two such instances last year – quarterback Todd Reesing and safety Olaitan Oguntodu. Both played as true freshmen.

The extent of Dudley’s contribution in 2007 is still a ways off from being determined. But his former coach insists that Dudley won’t be his own worst enemy when he arrives in Lawrence.

“He’s an extremely hard worker,” Slaughter said. “He’s been doing everything he can to get ready to go to Kansas.”

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Recruiting weekend: This weekend could be one of KU’s most important in terms of recruiting.

Several high-caliber recruits plan to take official visits to Lawrence this weekend, including the Cedar Hill (Texas) tandem of Dezmon Briscoe and William Cole.

Cole, a 5-foot-10, 165-pound athlete, is receiving loads of attention after leading Cedar Hill to a state championship last month. Believed to be the highest-rated recruit remaining on KU’s board, he has visits lined up to Kansas, Arkansas and Missouri over the next three weeks, according to Rivals.com.

Briscoe, a 6-foot-2, 180-pound receiver, has more than half-dozen big-school offers as well. He’ll visit Kansas, Boise State and Missouri the next three weekends.

Other standouts visiting – all Texans – include defensive tackle Adrian Campbell, defensive end Michael Ray and safety Joseph Leary. All three have several schools to choose from.

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KU commitments in Shrine Bowl: Two KU commitments have been selected to play in the Kansas Shrine Bowl in July.

Ryan Murphy, Free State High’s starting quarterback the last two seasons, and Sedgwick fullback Steven Foster both have been invited to the game, which will be played in Hays on July 28.