Kansas receiver Kerry Meier (10) gets behind Iowa State defensive back Chris Singleton for a third-quarter touchdown. Long established as a solid possession receiver, Meier has become more of a deep threat lately.

Without a doubt, Kansas University junior Todd Reesing has changed the complexion of the football program.

Before the 5-foot-11, 200-pound quarterback arrived in Lawrence, the Jayhawks were a lesson in mediocrity, a team that – in a good year – could hope to make a middle-of-the road bowl. In the year and a half since Reesing took over the starting job, the Jayhawks have gone 16-2, winning an Orange Bowl and finishing with a school-best No. 7 national ranking at the end of the 2007 season.

But while Reesing has established himself quickly as the face of the program, it’s junior receiver Kerry Meier, whose NFL prospects are improving with each passing week, that might turn out to be its best ambassador.

Meier’s success this season has been well-documented: He ranks second in the nation in receptions per game; he has amassed 514 receiving yards, and is a very large reason the Jayhawks rank fourth in the nation in third-down conversions.

Recently, however, he has shown signs of being a deep threat, as well. Against Iowa State, he caught a season-high two touchdown passes, and both went for more than 20 yards, including the eventual game-winner with 3:39 left in the game.

Asked Tuesday whether Meier is a legitimate NFL prospect, Kansas offensive coordinator Ed Warinner responded, “I know one thing: He’s as good a receiver as there is. I haven’t seen any better.”

But how? How does a player in his second season at the position, who spends just a small portion of his time working with receivers in practice, manage to put up all-conference numbers every Saturday?

Speed, for one.

“Some guys run track time, then you put them in pads, put them out in the game and put them in the third or fourth quarter, and they’re not so fast,” says Kansas offensive coordinator Ed Warinner. “Kerry Meier’s as well conditioned an athlete as we have on our football team, and he’s going to run just as fast in the second half as he is in the first half, and just as fast with his equipment on.”

Consistency, for another.

While the team’s other receivers have struggled to perform week in and week out – the numbers from sophomores Dezmon Briscoe and Johnathan Wilson have mirrored those of the stock market in recent weeks – Meier has been a rock, good for seven to 10 receptions and 100 yards a game.

“It’s not just me doing things,” Meier insists. “It’s a combination of the offense and Todd being able to buy time and finding me in certain situations. And right now, I just so happen to be there.”

Entering today’s 11:30 a.m. matchup with visiting Colorado, a large part of the Buffaloes game plan will center on stopping the pass game from the start – not a bad strategy, considering Kansas’ run game has been dismal.

Last season, Colorado was able to keep things close by putting pressure on Reesing and keeping him from finding his receivers – holding him to just 153 yards passing.

This year, they’ll focus on doing more of the same.

“If we’re blitzing, we want to get to him; if we only have four down, we want to get to him,” said Buffaloes defensive end George Hypolite. “We want to make sure he has guys in his face and see if he can be accurate all day with people around him.”

On the heels of two straight losses, including last week’s 38-14 loss to Texas, the Buffaloes are hoping to turn things around against a Kansas team that, through its first five games, appears more vulnerable than it did a season ago.

And limiting the impact of Meier wouldn’t be a bad place to start.