Rise & Sign: KU football ushers in 2014 recruiting class on National Signing Day

It's National Signing Day and KU coach Charlie Weis is expecting 20 letters of intent to arrive via fax.

It's National Signing Day and KU coach Charlie Weis is expecting 20 letters of intent to arrive via fax.

3:26 p.m. Update:

Just wanted to clarify one thing before I jump in and write something up for tomorrow’s paper:

KU’s total haul in this class — counting mid-year guys and D-I transfers — is 25…. 15 high school signees, 8 juco signees and 2 D-I transfers. Because the Jayhawks can count one player backwards toward last year’s class, that leaves them with one spot remaining in the current class.

That’s significant because if a player were to come available late or if another attractive transfer popped up, they would be able to jump on him. That said, I’d expect the spot to remain unused unless an offensive tackle or wide receiver that could come in and push for a starting role became available.

As you were.

1:21 p.m. Update:

My quick take on the class that just became official…

(Reminder: While this is my immediate reaction to the class, KU coach Charlie Weis will give his and more at his Thursday press conference. We’ll be there, so be ready for much more tomorrow.)

For a look at the entire Class of 2014 all in one neat spot, check out our 2014 recruiting page.

12:59 p.m. Update:

Some quick notes about the class, now that it is official, including a comment from KU coach Charlie Weis:

“I’m very pleased with this recruiting class,” Weis said via press release. “Our staff had to show good patience, and, through hard work, we filled almost every pressing need.”

• KU’s 2014 class includes 15 high school signees, 8 junior college transfers and 2 Division-I transfers. There are 12 defensive players and 13 offensive players in the group.

• The 2014 KU signees represent 9 different states and Canada, with Texas leading the way providing 11 new Jayhawks. Three local players signed letters of intent with KU as safety Joe Dineen (Lawrence, Kan./Free State HS), offensive lineman Apa Visinia (Grandview, Mo./Grandview HS) and running back Traevohn Wrench (Gardner, Kan./Gardner Edgerton HS) each joined the program.

• The Jayhawks signed four 4-star players according to ESPN.com — running back/wide receiver Corey Avery (Dallas, Texas/Carter HS), offensive lineman Jacob Bragg (Nacogdoches, Texas (Nacogdoches HS), linebacker Kyron Watson (East St. Louis, Ill./East St. Louis HS) and Wrench. Wrench was also given a four-star rating by Rivals.com.

12:24 p.m. Update:

In just under seven hours, all of the KU football commitments faxed their letters of intent to the KU football offices, with No.2-ranked juco defensive end Anthony Olobia finishing out the list.

Olobia was the last one to fax his letter and, given how smoothly the first 19 of the day went, the delay had to cause some anxious moments. But in the grand scheme of it all, his letter was still to the right hands by a little after noon. Not bad given the fact that some years and at most places, the waiting game can linger well into the afternoon and evening.

Based on what I’m hearing, that’s it for today. The Jayhawks do have a couple of spots open still but they likely will save those for potential additions down the road.

I’ll keep an ear out just in case anything pops up but that sounds very unlikely. Gonna throw together that recap video with my thoughts on the class and I’ll post that as soon as it’s done.

For now, enjoy the rest of the blog and all of the highlight videos in it.

11:54 a.m. Update:

Still waiting and trying to track down some information on Olobia.

For now, here are a few more photos that were sent to me from earlier signings. Two from Bobby Hartzog and one from Matthew Boateng.

First, Hartzog:

Bobby Hartzog's signing day set-up was all crimson and blue.

Bobby Hartzog in the act of signing the paperwork this morning.

And here’s Boateng in the act of signing:

DB Matthew Boateng was the first new Jayhawk to sign his letter of intent this morning.

11:18 a.m. Update:

And then there was one. It’s official. All of the letters are in except for Anthony Olobia’s. Olobia, the No. 2 ranked juco defensive end in the country is a big piece of this year’s recruiting puzzle, so there will not be any sighs of relief until that letter is in.

All in all, though, it’s been a great morning for KU, as these guys all got up and signed without so much as a hint of drama. The only thing that impacted the signings at all was the weather. Other than that, this class really seemed excited about faxing their letters as quickly as possible.

I talked with someone at KU about those electronic letters of intent and they told me there were a few guys who went that route this year and avoided the fax machine altogether. That was true both today and back in December during the mid-year signing period.

For now, we’re just waiting on Olobia, so sit tight and enjoy his film here while we wait.

After his letter is in, I’ll toss up a quick video recap with my thoughts on the class, the day and what it means for the future of KU football so look for that a little later, as well.

Naturally, I’ll keep an eye on things throughout the afternoon, too, to see if any late surprises enter the equation. I’m not expecting any, but if I were expecting it, it would hardly qualify as a surprise, right?

Here’s Olobia’s film: Thanks again to the Big 12 Recruiting YouTube account for a lot of the highlight footage used here today.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VIMluFRzTU

10:50 a.m. Update:

KU has now confirmed the arrival of a letter of intent from Derrick Neal, a wide receiver from Lincoln High in Dallas.

A three-star prospect who originally committed to Texas Tech but then changed his mind and committed to play basketball at UT-Arlington, Neal decided to go the football route again. He chose KU over New Mexico and late interest from TCU and Baylor.

He signed a little later than the others today but his addition leaves KU waiting on just one letter they expected and that’s from No. 2-ranked Juco defensive end Anthony Olobia, who is in Arizona and is expected to sign soon.

For now, here’s a look at Neal’s film:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYutuwpgZL0

Updated list of official signees:
DB Matthew Boateng
OL Devon Williams
WR Tyler Patrick
RB Traevohn Wrench
DE Daniel Wise
WR Bobby Hartzog
WR Darious Crawley
LB Kyron Watson
LB Josh Ehambe
DB Joe Dineen
DT Lay’Trion Jones
DE Damani Mosby
OL Jacob Bragg
DL Kapil Fletcher
RB De’Andre Mann
DT D.J. Williams
OL Apa Visinia
ATH Corey Avery
WR Derrick Neal

10:31 a.m. Update:

While I was typing up that last update, KU confirmed that it received a letter from Lufkin (Texas) High defensive lineman D.J. Williams.

On paper, Williams is definitely one of the biggest pick-ups in the current class. He ranks as the 38th best defensive tackle in the nation, the fourth best defensive tackle in Texas and the 75th best player regardless of position in his home state.

Here’s a look at Williams’ film:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmITSsK1K04

Think we’re just waiting on WR Derrick Neal and DE Anthony Olobia, along with whatever signing day surprises might pop up, if any.

10:18 a.m. Update:

Oh, and here’s a little “hello” from De’Andre Mann, all decked out in KU gear.

10:16 a.m. Update:

In one quick moment, KU crawled within two players of closing out the 20 guys expected to sign today in the Class of 2014.

Hartnell C.C. teammates Kapil Fletcher and De’Andre Mann signed at a joint ceremony in California this morning. Mann, the No. 1 ranked juco RB in the country, made the trek back out there from his hometown of Miami, Fla., to sign with his teammate.

Asked if the No. 1 ranking added any pressure onto his shoulders, Mann said he did not worry about such things.

“That’s just on paper,” he said. “That doesn’t mean anything. You gotta put up and work on the field. It’s cool to have. And I appreciate all of the accolades and recognition, but it comes down to producing on the field and I’m ready to go to work.”

As for Fletcher, a native Jamaican who lists getting to the quarterback as his top skill, the end of the whole recruiting process has been a mixed bag of feelings.

“It’s emotional and exciting,” he said. “For me and all my teammates, it’s just cool to realize we came a long way and put in the work.”

Here’s their film, side-by-side, just like they were. Pay close attention to Mann’s. People seem to think he’s just added depth at the RB spot, but the guy is a beast and could make a huge impact right away.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fx97j0ZPwG4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toGZEWHTuuA

Updated list of official signees:
DB Matthew Boateng
OL Devon Williams
WR Tyler Patrick
RB Traevohn Wrench
DE Daniel Wise
WR Bobby Hartzog
WR Darious Crawley
LB Kyron Watson
DB Joe Dineen
DT Lay’Trion Jones
DE Damani Mosby
OL Jacob Bragg
DL Kapil Fletcher
RB De’Andre Mann
DT D.J. Williams

9:57 a.m. Update:

Apa Visinia signing his letter of intent this morning in Grandview, Mo.

Offensive lineman Apa Visinia just sent me this photo so I figured now was as good a time as any to post his film.

His story is a fantastic one, as he credits KU coach Charlie Weis and what he saw in him for giving him the confidence to become a player who could enter a Big 12 program with the belief that he can make an impact.

“Early in high school, no one was really giving me a look and coach Weis just kept telling me, ‘I feel like you should be one of those guys on the boards and stuff. I don’t know what everyone’s not seeing,'” Visinia said. “(KU was) the (school) that first saw my talent and was able to kind of dissect everything and say, ‘OK, well this kid is what we need as an O-lineman.’

“When I talked to coach Weis the other day I just made sure to say, ‘Thanks a lot for the opportunity and going ahead and pulling that trigger.’ If it wasn’t for that, I don’t think anybody would’ve seen what I can do.”

As for the excitement of the day, that is unparalleled.

“It’s kind of a crazy feeling just to be in this situation and to kind of know what the future holds,” he said. “It’s pure excitement and I’m just ready to get down there and get to work.”

His film:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqkOHVJaoDw

9:41 a.m. Update:

Jacob Bragg, one of the top rated centers in the nation, has officially faxed his letter to KU and is now a Jayhawk.

Bragg has been fired up for this day for a long time and he has his sights set on coming in and getting to work immediately at a position of need for KU.

“I know they struggled with the position but, yeah, it pumps me up that they’re going to need a center,” he said. “If I come in and put in work, everything will work out by itself. I just want to come in and help the team out any way I can. I don’t expect anything to be handed to me.”

His film:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhBDTd-f4OM

9:29 a.m. Update:

Damani Mosby of Mesa C.C., signing his letter of intent to join the Jayhawks.

Damani Mosby was all smiles after signing his letter of intent with the Jayhawks.

Damani Mosby, one of my favorite dudes I’ve talked to in this class so far, just text me and said he has faxed his letter to KU.

Mosby said he’s happy with where he’s at and he has been studying film of the Big 12 like crazy. He would like to bulk up before arriving on campus this summer.

“I’m about 6-4 now but I am the same weight (235),” he said. “I need to gain a little more weight than that. You know, gain muscle so I don’t slow myself down. Probably try to get to the 255 mark.”

Mosby said his idol is Julius Peppers and he is thrilled to have the opportunity to play at KU against some top-notch competition.

“This whole thing is extremely exciting,” he said. “It’s just been a big dream of mine to be able to play in the Big 12 and I’m just excited to get to work.”

His film:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FHRIH1O2qk

9:19 a.m. Update:

We’re half way home. 10 letters in and 10 to go, according to my tracking… I also just heard back from Garland (Texas) High defensive tackle Lay’Trion Jones, who said he has signed and sent his letter to Kansas.

Jones picked Kansas over offers from New Mexico, New Mexico State, UTEP and late interest from Arizona State. An avid musician, he wants to major in music in college.

Here’s a look at Jones’ film. More later.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85qLO72nS24

9:15 a.m. Update:

Joe Dineen is official. Free State did not have school today so it was a little bit of a circus for Dineen to get his letter in. He told me he wound up having to fax it to Coach Clint Bowen directly, which is fitting since there are a ton of people around town who feel Dineen is made from the same mold that Bowen was. Quite an honor… for both of them.

Here’s a look at Dineen’s film. I’ve seen him play in person several times during the past few years and I can’t say enough good things about his skills, his character and the impact I think he’ll make on KU football.

9:14 a.m. Update:

Text update from Grandview (Mo.) offensive lineman Apa Visinia. The weather has slowed things down a bit for him, as he expected to sign at 8 a.m. but is still waiting for his coach to fax the letter to him so he can get it signed and sent.

Nothing at all to worry about there. Visinia (pronounced: Ahh-puh Vee-Suh-Nee-Uh) is absolutely sold on Kansas and is thrilled with the hiring of John Reagan to replace Tim Grunhard, who played a huge role in landing Visinia in the first place.

More when he faxes.

9:02 a.m. Update:

KU also has made it official with 4-star Dallas athlete Corey Avery, the latest pick-up in this class and one of the best.

Avery played safety and running back in high school, ranks as the 87th best player in Texas and the 43rd best “athlete” in the nation. He chose Kansas over Nebraska and Texas.

His film:

8:59 a.m. Update:

New KU WR Bobby Hartzog says hi.

8:52 a.m. Update:

Also just got a text from D-End Damani Mosby, who said he was signing in the next 20 minutes.

New KU D-End Damani Mosby.

Updated list of official signees:
DB Matthew Boateng
OL Devon Williams
WR Tyler Patrick
RB Traevohn Wrench
DE Daniel Wise
WR Bobby Hartzog
WR Darious Crawley
LB Kyron Watson

8:49 a.m. Update:

Just got a text from Kyron Watson that said he just faxed his letter.

Here’s his film:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m33H1WWeigw

8:36 a.m. Update:

Wide receiver Darious Crawley is officially part of the KU program.

KU has it official for WR Darious Crawley, who picked Kansas over Michigan State. To me, this was one of the first commitments that sparked the strong finish for KU in the Class of 2014.

Crawley is a fantastic athlete and had a great offer list. The 5-foot-11, 191 pounds, spent his senior season splitting time between quarterback and wide receiver. He has been clocked in the 4.55-second range in the 40-yard dash and also played running back and returned punts during his prep career.

Crawley told me he would sign this morning and then have a signing party around 3 p.m. today.

Here’s his film:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYnOVOSR5F8

Updated list of official signees:
DB Matthew Boateng
OL Devon Williams
WR Tyler Patrick
RB Traevohn Wrench
DE Daniel Wise
WR Bobby Hartzog
WR Darious Crawley

8:21 a.m. Update:

New KU linebacker/defensive end Josh Ehambe.

Just got the confirmation from Arlington, Texas, LB Josh Ehambe, who told me recently that he was glad the whole recruiting saga was finished.

“It’s fun at the beginning because, you know, every kid wants to be recruited,” he said. “It gets tough at the end because you have to call the other coaches that you built relationships with and tell them that you’re going to another school.”

Ehambe (pronounced: Ee-Hahm-Bay) said he was told he would play the Buck position, which excited him because he likes that spot’s versatility. He compared his game to that of Denver Broncos star Von Miller and said the opportunity to play for coaches like Charlie Weis and Dave Campo, with their connections to the NFL, was a huge reason he picked Kansas.

Here’s his film.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40AGxhvnR8E

8:06 a.m. Update:

Waiting on WR Darious Crawley, DB Joe Dineen, DT Lay’Trion Jones and OL Apa Visinia. All told me they were signing between 7:30 and 8:00 a.m. today.

Linebacker Josh Ehambe also told me he was signing at 8:00 a.m., sending by 8:30 a.m. and would have a big ceremony at his school around 11:00 or 11:30. And by big we’re talking a publicist sent out a note to the media and made posters big. As it should be. Huge day for these guys.

After that, there’s a heavy crew expected to sign around 9 a.m., too.

Stay tuned…

7:52 a.m. Update:

One of the newest additions to KU's receiving corps, Bobby Hartzog.

Just got word from Houston WR Bobby Hartzog (Westside High) that the letter has been sent and received by KU. He said he’d send a picture ASAP.

Hartzog, who led his prep district with 506 receiving yards and six touchdowns through September 2013, committed to Utah and Houston before opening his recruiting back up. He also had been offered by Iowa State.

Here’s his film. (Big thanks to the Big 12 Recruiting YouTube account for a lot of this footage)

Updated list of official signees:
DB Matthew Boateng
OL Devon Williams
WR Tyler Patrick
RB Traevohn Wrench
DE Daniel Wise
WR Bobby Hartzog

7:49 a.m. Update:

Three-star East St. Louis (Ill.) linebacker Kyron Watson just informed me that he is not having a signing day ceremony until tomorrow. He is, however, still signing and sending his national letter of intent today and should be doing that any minute.

Watson said he’s close with KU running back Tony Pierson, who was a senior at East St. Louis High when Watson was a freshman. I asked him if Pierson played a big role in recruiting him and the second player in the Class of 2014 to commit to Kansas said the overall vibe of Lawrence, the campus, the team and the football program played the biggest part.

“He told me what I needed to know but he wasn’t really trying to recruit me that hard because he told me it was my decision and that I should do what I needed to do,” Watson said of Pierson. “When I came down there it just made me feel like I was home. And that was the first visit I took and the first school that offered me.”

7:42 a.m. Update:

A quick video shout-out from Matthew Boateng, who appears to be in much warmer conditions than we are.

7:36 a.m. Update:

Gardner-Edgerton's Traevohn Wrench, the latest talented RB to join the Jayhawks.

KU has made it official with four-star Gardner-Edgerton running back Traevohn Wrench. Looks like the bad weather here in the Midwest did nothing to deter Mr. Wrench.

No question one of the biggest pick-ups in the Class of 2014, Wrench’s addition keeps alive KU’s recent tradition of having a strong, deep and talented backfield.

Here’s a look at some of his high school film if you haven’t seen it already.

Updated list of official signees:
DB Matthew Boateng
OL Devon Williams
WR Tyler Patrick
RB Traevohn Wrench

7:33 a.m. Update:

Seeing talk in the Twitterverse about prospects now being able to take a photo of their signed letters of intent and email them to their schools. No longer slaves to the fax machine. Many still use it, of course, but it’s nice to see signing day move into the 21st centure.

We’ll have to find out how many (if any) KU commitments used the snap and send method.

7:17 a.m. Update:

New KU wide receiver Tyler Patrick and his family decked out in KU gear.

Add another to the list… Jon Kirby of JayhawkSlant.com is reporting that Texas WR Tyler Patrick has faxed his letter of intent to KU and is now official.

Here’s a quick picture of Patrick and his family decked out for the big day, along with the young man’s highlight film.

At the time of his commitment, Patrick had just a few offers (Air Force, Lamar and Louisiana-Monroe) but was receiving interest from several BCS programs, including Iowa State and Oklahoma State. The aspect of his game that seemed to attract the most interest was his speed, as he ran a 4.4-second 40-yard dash time at KU’s Friday Night Lights camp earlier this summer and has been clocked as fast as 4.38.

7:11 a.m. Update:

KU has made the Boateng signing official on its web site and it looks like Georgia Military College offensive lineman Devon Williams has signed and faxed his letter, as well. That’s two.

Despite KU transitioning from former offensive line coach Tim Grunhard to its next O-line coach — Rice’s John Reagan — Williams said he felt a lot of love from the existing KU coaches and was not worried about his future position coach.

Williams is one of two O-Linemen from GMC to join the Jayhawks in this recruiting class. Guard Keyon Haughton signed with Kansas at the mid-year signing period.

Here’s a look at Williams’ film:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJoGcJ5erLk

6:49 a.m. Update:

The weather definitely may change things — it already inspired KU coach Charlie Weis to move today’s signing day press conference to tomorrow since KU is closed and safety is an issue — but the next expected signees are Free State High’s Joe Dineen around 7:30 a.m. and Texas WR Bobby Hartzog around the same time.

Again, the bad weather (at least around here) might impact some of these and I wasn’t able to get ahold of every commitment (I think I got to 16 of 20) so it’s possible someone else sneaks in there or the times change.

I’ll be tracking it, though, so keep it right here for the latest.

6:38 a.m. Update:

KU coach Charlie Weis is the only member of the KU football staff currently in the office. Looks like he may have slept there last night to make sure someone would be able to make it in to receive the letters…

I'm at the office excited for Signing Day. Alone for now. Might have to man the fax machine myself today! School closed!

— Coach Charlie Weis (@CoachWeisKansas) February 5, 2014

6:04 a.m. Update:

IMG Academy's Matthew Boateng, the first member of KU's Class of 2014 to fax his letter to Lawrence.

Florida defensive back Matthew Boateng just posted on Twitter that he has signed his letter of intent and is headed to the fax machine.

Here’s a look at some of the 2-star DB’s highlight film:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdBrNhC7mSU

Always fun to see the first one pop. Here we go!

Original post – 5:48 a.m.

Being on the east coast certainly has its advantages. But for a high school senior on the verge of officially becoming a college football player, few advantages mean as much as the ability to wake up before the rest of the world and fax your letter of intent to your school of choice.

For KU commitment Matthew Boateng, of IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., that reality is his today, as the Class of 2014 goes through National Signing Day and Boateng kicks off KU’s letter-waiting campaign ahead of 19 other future teammates.

A two-star defensive back who chose KU over Ball State, Indiana, Marshall, Nevada and Wake Forest, Boateng is expected to be the first to sign and fax his letter of intent to KU, which will make him and official member of the 2014 team.

Per NCAA rules, prospects are not allowed to sign their letters of intent until 7 a.m. their time. For Boateng in Florida, 7 a.m. means 6 a.m. in Lawrence, which means the KU coaching staff will have to be in the office by then in order to receiver the fax.

Knowing KU coach Charlie Weis and considering the bad weather, he probably slept in his office last night with the fax machine within sight so he could be sure to receive those letters from all of the players he worked so hard to land.

Boateng told me he would have a signing day ceremony at his school around 11 a.m. local time, which is 10 a.m. here.

Some quick notes about this year’s class before we get started tracking the letters and signing day ceremonies of the 20 future Jayhawks expected to make their commitments official today:

• 15 of the 20 players signing letters today are high school seniors, which swings the balance back to the prep ranks, unlike last year, when KU’s class included more than 20 junior-college prospects.

• When you add the three mid-year signees and Florida transfer Kent Taylor into the mix, the overall numbers in the Class of 2014 look like this: High school seniors – 15; College transfers – 8.

• This year’s class includes 10 players from Texas, four of which rank on Rivals.com’s Texas Top 100 list.

• Weis’ third KU class includes two Kansans, Free State High defensive back Joe Dineen and Gardner-Edgerton High running back Traevohn Wrench.

• According to Rivals.com, KU’s recruiting haul ranks 49th nationally and 7th in the Big 12, ahead of Kansas State, Iowa State and TCU. Texas Tech (41st) and West Virginia (43rd) are the Big 12 schools immediately ahead of KU.

• According to ESPN.com’s recruiting rankings, the current KU class includes four 4-star prospects (Athlete Corey Avery; OL Jacob Bragg; RB Traevohn Wrench and LB Kyron Watson), the most a single class at KU has had since ESPN began ranking players in 2006.

Settle in and get ready for some more signing day fun! To me, this is always one of the best days of the year.

In case you missed it, here’s a look at one of the main sources of inspiration for many in this year’s class.

http://www2.kusports.com/news/2014/feb/04/ku-football-recruiting-class-35playfordre/

Rise & Sign: KU football ushers in 2014 recruiting class on National Signing Day

Tale of the Tait