LJWorld.com

Kansas University football standouts Aqib Talib and Anthony Collins flew to Arizona last month to start a grueling training regimen in preparation for the upcoming NFL Combine.

And wouldn't you know it? A Jayhawk was there to welcome them, take care of them - and kick their butts.

"They are my responsibility," Luke Richesson said.

Recognize that name? Richesson is a former KU football player who played special teams for the 1992 and '95 Aloha Bowl teams. He now is a coach at Athletes' Performance, a highly respected training facility in Tempe, Ariz., which conditions elite athletes.

Richesson, specifically, is in charge of Combine preparation training. Once Talib and Collins declared for the NFL Draft, they immediately went to Arizona and entered the program, hoping to get in top shape for the Combine workouts that will start Saturday in Indianapolis.

Collins will work out on the first day. Talib is scheduled to go Tuesday, the final day. Three other KU players - tight end Derek Fine, defensive tackle James McClinton and wide receiver Marcus Henry - also will work out.

Richesson, who has family in Lawrence and Kansas City, obviously took an interest in his two fellow Jayhawks. And while he liked the way both looked coming in, he really liked how they look going out.

"(Collins) had a long season, and he was beat up," Richesson said. "It was getting him put back together and healthy and feeling good."

Once the bruises healed, Richesson went to work on Collins' strength, flexibility and "horsepower."

As for Talib?

"For Aqib, the main thing was we really ramped up his strength levels," Richesson said. "It's going to reflect in his 40 time when he runs in Indy. I think he's going to wow people."

Richesson is in his ninth year at Athletes' Performance, in a profession he planned to enter coming out of St. Pius X High in Kansas City, Mo. He earned an exercise science degree at Kansas and has stayed a loyal Jayhawk fan ever since.

"I make it back about once a year," Richesson said. "I actually made it back for the home opener (against Central Michigan) and saw the boys put it on them."

¢On his way: McClinton planned to leave for Indianapolis today to get ready for his Monday workout.

It wasn't a given, after the 6-foot-1, 290-pounder suffered a seizure last month in Houston while training for the East-West Shrine Game. He sat out the exhibition and went to a neurologist the next week to get tests done.

McClinton said "everything is clear" and he will pursue a professional career as planned. He spent the last several weeks training in Overland Park while attending classes at KU, and hopes to get a good call come April when the NFL Draft takes place.

"I believe the Lord is going to bless me to get there," McClinton said. "So I'm keeping the faith and working for it."

¢TV time: All of the workouts will be televised by the NFL Network (Sunflower Broadband channel 154). Broadcasts will start at 10 a.m. every day, Saturday through Tuesday

For KU fans: Collins and Fine go Saturday, Henry goes Sunday, McClinton on Monday and Talib on Tuesday.

¢Another chance: While the NFL Combine is the best opportunity to impress pro scouts this spring, it's not the only one.

Several players will work out at KU's annual Pro Day in Lawrence on March 11. Dozens of pro scouts are expected to attend, especially with Talib and Collins' expected participation.

The NFL Draft is April 26-27 in New York.