Throughout the offseason, adding speed had been a major point of emphasis for the Kansas University football program.

Last weekend, the KU coaching staff added a little beef, too.

Junior-college linebacker Isaac Wright told Rivals.com on Sunday that he would attend Kansas as a walk-on.

Wright, 6-foot-3, 245 pounds, hails from Washington High in Kansas City, Kan. He spent the last two seasons at Independence Community College. In 2010, he recorded 88 tackles — nine for loss — from his inside linebacker position, a feat that opened some eyes around the college football world.

Arkansas offered Wright a spot as a preferred walk-on, and, initially, it looked as if that’s where the linebacker would go. But things fell through, paving the way for Kansas and Iowa State to come calling. Wright, who was recruited by cornerbacks coach Vic Shealy and defensive coordinator Carl Torbush, said he chose KU because it was the best fit.

“When I had a chance to talk with Kansas, it was an easy pick,” he told Rivals. “Although I am just a walk-on it feels real good. It is only 30 minutes from home and my family can come see me play.”

Wright will join the team this summer and will have two years of eligibility remaining. He becomes the third junior-college linebacker added to the team this offseason, joining Highland CC’s Tunde Bakare, who will report to the team this summer, and Navarro Junior College’s Malcolm Walker, who already is in town and led the Jayhawks in tackles during last weekend’s annual spring game.

Thorson taken in UFL draft

Former KU offensive lineman Brad Thorson, who was bypassed in last weekend’s NFL Draft, was selected in the fourth round of Monday night’s UFL Draft by the Hartford Colonials.

The Colonials are coached by former NFL head coach Jerry Glanville, who made Thorson the 20th overall pick. Glanville said he selected Thorson largely because of his versatility. Four of Hartford’s first five picks in the 10-round draft were offensive lineman.

Being picked by Hartford does not mean Thorson will play for the Colonials. With the NFL lockout still in place, teams are not permitted to sign free agents. However, once the lockout is lifted, Thorson would be eligible to sign as a free agent and could attempt to make an NFL roster by surviving training camp.