Less than 10 hours after the Kansas University football program got word of a commitment from highly coveted defensive tackle Marquel Combs, the Jayhawks picked up some much-needed help on the other side of the ball when offensive lineman Zach Fondal, of Navarro Junior College, became the latest pledge to pick Kansas.

According to a report from Jon Kirby at JayhawkSlant.com, Fondal, 6-foot-5, 295 pounds, canceled upcoming trips to Arkansas and Texas Tech and committed to Kansas after meeting with KU coach Charlie Weis and recruiting coordinator Rob Ianello on Tuesday.

The two-star offensive tackle becomes the 18th player to commit in the Class of 2013 and KU’s 12th junior-college pledge in the class.

“I didn’t want to wait on Arkansas and when (Tommy Tuberville left) Texas Tech it helped me even more with my decision,” Fondal told Kirby. “I liked all of the coaching staff at Kansas and I can benefit from them. It is a big weight off my shoulders and I don’t have to worry about it anymore.”

Fondal plans to sign with KU next Wednesday and will report to campus in January in time for spring football.

Check back with KUsports.com throughout the day for more information and updates. KU has received at least one commitment a day every day since Sunday and still has as many as nine spots to fill in its current recruiting class.