Jordan Webb (2) pulls back to pass on April 5 at the Kansas practice fields.

New team, new look

A slew of new faces will be on the field at 1 p.m. today, when the Kansas University football program kicks off its annual spring game at Memorial Stadium.

And while it might take a minute to adjust to seeing a new number at quarterback or a few new players hauling in passes, the who’s who portion of the day might end up being a minor detail.

Although there still is a lot of work to be done, the Jayhawks, under new head coach Turner Gill, likely will reveal a new look to both the offense and the defense. When Gill arrived at Kansas, he talked about not changing things too drastically too fast. But based on what we’ve learned this spring, it’s safe to say the spread offense will be bottled up a bit and in its place will be more of a pro-style, ground-oriented attack.

“The thing I like most (about the offense is), you can do a little more play-action and take some shots down the field,” said red-shirt freshman Jordan Webb, who is battling to become KU’s starting quarterback.

Defensively, things might not change much in terms of the schemes, but the attitude seems to be different. No longer are the defensive players sitting back, trying to keep the play in front of them. Instead, they’re flying all over the field, running fast and hitting hard in an effort to fall in line with what Gill’s looking for — playmakers.

“We’re going to get to be a lot more aggressive,” senior cornerback Chris Harris said. “We’ll get to take a lot of chances. As a defense, we’re bringing a lot now. It’s just an aggressive-minded defense.”

High expectations?

Last week, Gill talked about how he has been a part of a lot of spring games during his career as a player and coach. For the first time in a while, however, Gill isn’t quite sure what to expect from his first spring scrimmage in Lawrence.

“Your guess is probably better than mine, as far as the crowd here,” Gill told reporters Monday. “I’d like to encourage people to come out and see the talent we have. It’s going to be a good opportunity to get a really good preview of what we’re doing.”

Recruits make visits

While most of the faces in the crowd today will be die-hard Jayhawk fans, several Class of 2011 and 2012 recruits also will be present. Internet rumors of today being “a big day” for the Jayhawks indicate that a few of those guys — particularly the area prospects — could be ready to commit.

Here’s a list of a few names believed to be attending: Dan Tapko and Cooper Kerns, Rockhurst (Mo.); Phil Ford, Bishop Miege (Kan.); Bernard Thomas and Darrian Miller, Blue Springs, Mo.; Jamal Brown, Lawrence High; Bubba Starling, Gardner-Edgerton; Ben Heeney, Hutchinson; Niko Ornelas, North Richland Hills, Texas; Lorenzo Smith, Lynchburg, Va.; Matt Marler, Potosi, Mo.; Tyler Lockett, Tulsa, Okla.; and Cale Sharp, Salina.