STARS OF 2008:

QB Todd Reesing -- Won the job in fall camp a year ago, then engineered the Jayhawks to a 12-1 finish, the most wins in the history of the Kansas program. Although his 5-foot-11 listing is generous, Reesing is a competitor who can elude tacklers and find receivers.

CB Chris Harris -- Playing opposite All-American Aqib Talib, Harris emerged as the defensive newcomer of the year in the Big 12 after opponents attempted to pick on him.

LB Joe Mortensen -- Moved to middle linebacker last season and was a first-team all-league pick who led the Jayhawks with 106 tackles, including 15 for loss. A solid hitter with a nasty disposition.

TOP NEWCOMERS

OT Nathan D'Cunha -- The junior-college transfer is from Australia and began learning the game there before arriving in America. He enrolled in time to participate in spring drills and is one of several players auditioning for the two vacated tackle positions.

WR Rod Harris -- Another junior-college transfer getting an early start, Harris could make an immediate impact as the Jayhawks look to replace Marcus Henry, who caught 54 passes for 1,104 yards a year ago.

P Alonso Rojas -- Punted for Bowling Green in 2006 and has a chance to replace Kyle Tucker. The Jayhawks must also replace PK Scott Webb.

RB Jocques Crawford -- The top-rated prospect among incoming recruits, Crawford was the national junior-college offensive player of the year last season and will push all the veterans, including Jake Sharp.

ROSTER REPORT

--WR/QB/P Kerry Meier will continue to apply a number of slashes as the Jayhawks' top utility man. To get on the field last season, Meier moved to wide receiver after losing a fall quarterback duel with Todd Reesing. He is the first-team punter during spring drills since Kansas must wait until summer before transfer Alonso Rojas enrolls.

--LB Joe Mortensen, the Jayhawks' leading tackler last season, is being withheld from spring practice because of a knee injury. He was placed on the watch list for the Lombardi Award.

--Two other returning starters, C Ryan Cantrell (foot) and FS Justin Thornton (ankle) are also sidelined.

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