Kansas University freshman Tyler Patmon, left, and Isiah Barfield work out during spring drills in this file photo from April 19.

When Kansas University football coach Turner Gill arrived earlier this year, he gave out questionnaires to his players, asking them which position they’d like to play.

So what did Isiah Barfield, a defensive back his freshman year and a receiver his sophomore year, choose?

“I just put them both down,” Barfield said. “Whatever coach wanted me to play, I’d play.”

KU’s new staff didn’t take long to make their decision.

The first day of meetings, Barfield went with the offensive players.

The next day, his folder was in the defensive backs’ room.

Subtle or not, the coaches had decided Barfield would be a corner.

The 5-foot-11, 185-pound Haven native doesn’t seem upset with their decision.

“I love hitting people. Even when I played offense, I tried to throw my body at people,” the junior-to-be said. “It helps me to sleep at night just to make sure … just to hit somebody.”

Barfield had some success at cornerback during his freshman season in 2008. He played in each of the first four games, contributing 10 tackles and an interception before getting benched for the next eight games.

Barfield participated in the Insight Bowl before moving to receiver last year. Most of his contributions came on special teams.

The spring depth chart listed Barfield as a second-string cornerback, behind starters Chris Harris and Calvin Rubles, both seniors.

“At this point, I’m just trying to work as hard as I can to get some playing time,” Barfield said. “I can’t really say I’m going to start or anything like that. I’m just trying to play.”

Barfield also has been getting some help in the secondary from his teammate Taylor Lee. The two roommates studied the playbook together this spring.

“He’s a safety, I’m a corner, and it helps me understand my position a little better when there’s a safety telling me what he’s supposed to do,” Barfield said.

Already, Barfield has noticed that his training at wide receiver is helping him in his new gig.

“I know more about offenses now from just the way we did things last year,” Barfield said. “Everything slows down for me now, because I know a lot more about how the offenses run their plays.”

Though he’s moving away from receiver, Barfield still knows what it feels like to take a big hit in the secondary.

During his senior year of high school — in a game that former KU assistant Brandon Blaney came to watch him play — Barfield intercepted a pass against Buhler before cutting upfield.

“I’m at the 10-yard line, and their quarterback just decleats me. I get a concussion and didn’t play the rest of the game,” Barfield said. “That’s probably one of my biggest memories.”

Barfield believes that more positive memories in the secondary could be possible for him as soon as the 2010 season.

“The sky’s the limit, I guess,” Barfield said. “You’ve just got to keep working.”