First ball honors

Kansas University football coach Mark Mangino will throw the first pitch at the Kansas City Royals’ home opener Tuesday.

Still at the top

Former KU cornerback Aqib Talib continues to be considered a probable first-round selection in the NFL Draft later this month.

ESPN’s Mel Kiper projects Talib going seventh overall to the New England Patriots. NFL.com’s Pat Kirwan slots Talib at No. 16 to the Arizona Cardinals, while ESPN’s Todd McShay has Talib going 18th overall to the Houston Texans.

McShay also projects the second round, and former KU offensive tackle Anthony Collins is there, going 40th overall to the San Francisco 49ers.

The NFL Draft will start April 26 in New York.

Zlatnik shines

KU football recruit Duane Zlatnik earned All-American status on the wrestling mat last week, placing seventh at the Senior National Championship on Saturday in Virginia Beach, Va.

Zlatnik, a 6-foot-4, 260-pounder out of Rossville, will enroll at Kansas this summer and play defensive end.

Up next

Kansas was scheduled to conduct its ninth practice of the spring season on Wednesday. The next practice will start at 3:30 p.m. Friday, and will be open to the public.

The practice will be conducted at the practice fields adjacent to Hoglund Ballpark.