photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas linebacker Joe Dineen Jr. (29) watches the video board while the Jayhawks offense takes over on the field during the third quarter against South Dakota State on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2015 at Memorial Stadium.

The big increase in the number of athletes in the Kansas University football program who achieved specific standards for strength and speed heading into this past spring football season, as compared to heading into the spring of 2015, revealed encouraging signs on a few fronts.

The better numbers — including an increase from three to 24 athletes who clocked 4.59 or better in the 40-yard dash, and from eight athletes to 28 who were able to power-clean 300 pounds — confirmed that the recruiting class of 2015 upgraded the talent level in the program. The improvements also spoke to the commitment of the athletes and to the respect they have in strength and conditioning coach Je’Ney Jackson.

That doesn’t mean the road to respectability still isn’t a long and winding one rife with inevitable potholes, but the news did provide a glimmer of hope, which the spring football exhibition failed to accomplish.

The best guess at a record for 2016 is 2-10, with a one-sided, season-opening victory against University of Rhode Island and a close triumph at home against either Ohio University or Iowa State.

Coming out of spring football, here is a stab at ranking of the eight position groups:

1 . Linebackers: Junior Joe Dineen never played linebacker in his life until last season. He started nine games and ranked second on the team in tackles and tackles for loss and third in sacks. He was in on 16 tackles in the West Virginia game. Playing for the hometown school means a great deal to Dineen and it shows. He has Big 12 linebacker speed and will continue to work hard to add strength.

Sixth-year senior Marcquis Roberts has battled injuries his entire career. Last season was no exception, but he played hurt well enough to start 11 of the 12 games and was healthy enough to return an interception 83 yards against Iowa State. He’s a smart, driven football player who will bring as much as the health of his body allows.

Senior Courtney Arnick brings speed and game experience. He started six games in 2013, five in 2014 and three last season. Sophomores Osaze Ogbebor and Keith Loneker Jr., and senior Cameron Rosser bring depth to the position.

Freshman Maciah Long, a 6-2, 230-pound former quarterback, has a chance to contribute right away.

2 . Safeties/nickel backs: Fish Smithson, a brainy, sure tackler, returns at strong safety where it won’t necessarily be a good sign if he leads the nation in solo tackles again. That would be an indication that the front of the defense did not improve as much as projected. Moving to his natural position from cornerback, Tyrone Miller projects as the starting free safety. Listed at 182 pounds, Miller still is on the slight side for the position, but as he continues to put on weight without losing speed, he projects as a potential play-maker. Bazie Bates looked lost for much of the season, but improved enough to start the final four games. He and fellow senior Greg Allen give the Jayhawks strong depth at the position. Senior Tevin Shaw, backed up at nickel back by smart and athletic Chevy Graham, is one of the team’s most reliable performers.

In 2017, this unit will go from the team’s most to its least experienced group. That makes the recruitment of safety Bryce Torneden of Free State High a smart move.

3 . Receivers/tight ends: Texas A&M transfer LaQuivionte Gonzalez brings game-breaking speed that he showed in the spring exhibition. The unit lacked that last season.

Sophomore Steven Sims caught at least one pass in every game of his true-freshman season and ranked second on the team with 30 receptions and 349 yards.

At 6-foot-2, 202 pounds, sophomore Jeremiah Booker is a bigger target than either Gonzaelz or Sims. Sidelined by injury the first four games of last season, Booker made six starts and caught 23 passes for 228 yards. Sophomore Emmanuel Moore also has play-making potential. Third-year sophomore Tyler Patrick, senior Shakiem Barbel and freshman walk-on Keegan Brewer figure in the mix as well. Brewer knows how to get open and plays with a physical edge.

Junior Ben Johnson, a solid blocker and reliable pass-catcher for short routes, has an emerging backup in red-shirt freshman Jace Sternberg.

4 . Defensive line: If Big 12 schools were allowed to steal one player from KU’s roster, most of them probably would take sophomore defensive end Dorance Armstrong, who showed serious quickness as a true freshman and added 15 pounds to get to 241 in the offseason. Senior ends Anthony Olobia and Damani Mosby have packed on muscle and should perform better than during a transition year from junior-college football. The coaching staff has high long-term hopes for freshman Isaiah Bean.

Third-year sophomore Daniel Wise showed improvement during the course of last season and has worked hard in the weight room to get to 290 pounds. He’s the best defensive tackle in the program. Sophomore D.J. Williams showed flashes late last season and will be counted on to take a big leap forward. Junior-college recruits will be needed to fill out the D-tackle rotation in their first seasons of Div. I football, never an ideal situation.

5 . Offensive line: Several blockers added much needed strength. Steadily improving fourth-year junior Joe Gibson is up to 310 pounds and brings plenty of experience to the center position. D’Andre Banks has worked hard to reshape his body, weighs 310 pounds, and moves from guard to right tackle for his senior year. Sophomore Clyde McCauley will benefit from a year of Big 12 weight training and mans the crucial left-tackle spot. Junior Jayson Rhodes had an impressive offseason in the weight room, turning fat into muscle, and in his second season with KU after one junior-college season, starts at left guard. Jacob Bragg, not strong enough a year ago to hold his ground, has become stronger and will play right guard. Jordan Shelley-Smith’s injury history is such that anything the team gets out of him as a senior will be a bonus. Sophomore Larry Hughes can fill in at guard or tackle for an offensive line that appears to be a year away, but definitely more prepared for weekly challenges against NFL prospects than a year ago.

6 . Running backs: Concussions seem to hit this position harder than any other, which makes depth more important than ever. Kansas doesn’t have nearly enough of it. Ke’aun Kinner played through injuries last season and led the team in rushing. At 5-9, 191 pounds, he lacks durability and power, but he knows how to make tacklers miss and is deceptively fast. Sophomores Ryan Schadler and Taylor Martin bring break-away speed, but haven’t yet shown they have the instincts to use blockers to gain more yardage. Khalil Herbert, a freshman from Plantation, Fla., will have a chance to earn carries as a freshman.

7 . Cornerbacks: Brandon Stewart’s Big 12 baptism is behind him and he’s determined to show big improvement in his senior season. Derrick Neal, a former receiver, senior Marnez Ogletree and junior-college transfer Stephan Robinson, a sophomore, all have ample speed. The players who can maintain confidence after getting burned have the best chance to play. Freshman Kyle Mayberry, offered a scholarship by Houston, Kansas State and Washington State, could play a lot from Day 1.

8 . Quarterbacks: Sophomore Ryan Willis has the strongest arm and has the most accuracy on all throws, but he’s a drop-back passer in an age when dual-threats are all the rage. Fourth-year junior Montell Cozart offers a refreshingly positive attitude and a terrific speed, but tends to overthrow receivers on deep passes and his lack of precise accuracy leaves him vulnerable to throwing interceptions. Red-shirt freshman Carter Stanley drops the ball so far that it creates a big loop before he throws, too long a windup to take advantage of open receivers. If he fixes that hitch, he could provide depth, but it has proven a tough fix so far. Deondre Ford is available if injuries occur.

Tyriek Starks, a 6-2, 188-pound dual-threat native of New Orleans, likely will red-shirt.