Kansas recruits Euless (Texas) Trinity linebacker Earnest Norman and Flower Mound (Texas) Marcus offensive lineman Ty Cloud have both backed out of their commitments to play for the Jayhawks next season, according to the recruiting Web site rivals.com.

Norman, who plays for one of the country’s top-ranked high school programs, decided on Kansas last spring, but said he switched his decision after watching Kansas play Nebraska three weeks ago in Lincoln.

“Kansas knew that I was a soft verbal,” he told the Web site, before adding of his decision to play at Nebraska, “It can’t get any better than this.”

Meanwhile, the 6-foot-4, 285-pound Cloud made a similar decision and is reportedly planning an upcoming visit to Houston University.

The losses leave the Jayhawks with 14 known commitments for the Class of 2009, headlined by four-star defensive back prospect Prinz Kande, also out of Euless Trinity.