KU coach Charlie Weis (back, in black) watches over his team during stretching drills at Tuesday's practice.

Pads were popping and it finally looked like the first day of football season at the Kansas University practice fields on Tuesday.

The Jayhawks, after four days of drills in jerseys, helmets and shells, strapped on pads for the first time and showed a different look.

Some guys maintained the quickness they showed during the first few days. Others looked a little more sluggish and, somehow, others looked a little faster.

In preparation for Day 1 in pads, the Jayhawks watched a video, during their morning meetings, about the proper tackling techniques and other safety precautions that go into full contact. Happens every year, but it’s great to see the coaching staff put such serious emphasis on something so important.

Seeing some of these young guys in pads for the first time had me thinking that quite a few of them could play if called upon. The goal, of course, is for them to not be needed so they can save the year of eligibility and continue working on their bodies and minds as they make the transition from high school to college.

The most important part of this thought, though, is that guys like Jacob Bragg, Apa Visinia, Lay’Trion Jones, Daniel Wise and many others look a little more like the kinds of guys big programs start with year in and year out. That’s good for the future and for the continued development of the program.

Here’s a quick look at a few things that caught my eye out there on Tuesday:

• Maybe it was just being in pads that got him fired up, or maybe he was feeling particularly good. Either way, junior center Keyon Haughton was fired up out there. He kept beating on his chest, high-fiving everyone within reach and looking generally pretty charged up. It’s dangerous to read too much into any one day, but two things came to mind: 1. Maybe he’s playing very well and has a ton of confidence and just can’t wait to keep rolling. Or, 2. Maybe he’s feeling the intensity of the battle for the top spot at center and he was trying to get himself charged up for a big day. I suppose it’s possible there could be a No. 3 in play here, too. Maybe he just loved the song that was playing.

• It’s been said here, written all over the place and mentioned a bunch of times already, but today gave a really good look at the transformation of Charlie Weis. Most days, he’s wearing a sweatshirt or some kind of pullover with his shorts and you can’t really tell how much weight he’s lost. Today, though, he had black shorts and a black short-sleeve shirt and he looked great. He’s lost more than 80 pounds in the past several weeks and appears to be moving around much better than in the past. The only reason this is a big deal — other than for the Weis family — is because I truly believe that a team can benefit from this kind of example of hard work, dedication and achievement coming from the top.

• The fun-and-feel-good moment of the day came right after stretching as the defensive players were running to their side of the field for drills. While sprinting to his station, junior lineman Ben Goodman was jawing with current grad assistant Darius Willis, who was a Goodman teammate just last season. It was all in good fun, of course, and it just goes to show that there are a million different ways to motivate and Willis has found one.

• Evidently I’ve found my early obsession: Freshman running back Corey Avery. Really, really looking forward to seeing him play. Today, with the backs dressed in full pads, I noticed Avery seemed to run low with great balance. Easy to say during a drill. We’ll see if it transitions to game day or if it even matters. My guess is it will on both counts.

• With Jimmay Mundine sidelined for a couple of weeks with an injury, the door is open for someone at the tight end spot to make himself a player the coaches can’t keep off the field. Trent Smiley is listed second on the depth chart, but he’s more of a blocking tight end anyway – and a damn good one at that. Ben Johnson and Jordan Shelley-Smith both have a chance to step forward, but don’t count out Smiley altogether. He’s got the experience, he’s got underrated hands and he’s a senior playing his last season of college football. I noticed him really doing a lot of leading today, both of the vocal nature and by example.

Today’s Videos and Podcast:

http://www2.kusports.com/videos/2014/aug/12/35933/

http://www2.kusports.com/videos/2014/aug/12/35932/