Kelly Donohoe needed a commitment from University of Kansas quarterback Todd Reesing, who told the former Jayhawk QB and present-day Blue Springs High School football coach that he would attend his Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers Camp this week at Peve Stadium.
“I told Todd that they might take away my old No. 5 and give it to someone else if he didn’t come down to the camp,” Donohoe joked.
When Donohoe got the call from Reesing that he would attend Thursday’s session he breathed a sigh of relief.
“I couldn’t have the guy from my school not show up when (Kansas State’s Josh) Freeman and Chase (Daniel, Missouri’s quarterback) were going to be there for the second day of the camp.
“When this thing started a few years ago, we had three quarterback and three wide receiver coaches. Now, we’re up to six of each because we have 175 kids out here and we want to make it the lowest possible ratio between coaches and players.”
Reesing, who has attended the camp in the past, enjoyed his session Thursday.
“It’s a great camp,” said the native Texan, who was told he was too small to play in his home state. “It wasn’t that long ago that I was attending these camps. I really enjoy working with the young kids. They are so eager and really want to learn.”
When asked about Donohoe’s “threat” of taking away his No. 5 jersey, the quick-on-his feet Reesing said, “Coach Donohoe wore No. 5? Oh, yeah – I asked for it. Or they just assigned it to me – I really don’t remember.”
Ouch!
Reesing set 30 team records last season for the Orange Bowl champion Jayhawks and proved that good things come in 5-foot-9ish packages.
“It’s great to be a part of something like Kansas football,” Reesing said. “Now, you don’t really think about stuff like records and things we accomplished last year. I just want to continue to help the Kansas football program grow and be successful. Then, down the road a few years from now, I’ll enjoy the other things.”
n A familiar face prowled the sidelines wearing some unfamiliar gear Thursday morning as former Blue Springs player and coach, Jared Barge, scouted a couple of Oak Grove quarterbacks who will play a huge role as he takes over as head coach Pete Carpino’s offensive coordinator.
“I’m offering all the Blue Springs kids a free apartment in Oak Grove if they want to jump teams,” joked Barge, who was one of the best offensive linemen in Wildcats history and one of the most respected assistant coaches in the state.
“It’s great to see the Blue Springs kids out here – but you know who I’m watching. We have a couple of great young quarterbacks who are going to be competing for the starting job, and what a great place to get some experience.”
Junior Caleb Barnhill and sophomore Zach Taylor caught the eye of Barge and Carpino as they went from one station to another.
“Brian Salley (the Oak Grove quarterback who graduated last year) came to this camp last year and it really helped him,” Carpino said. “With Caleb and Zach we have two young guys who bring a lot to the program. They both have the potential to be good ones.”
Panthers quarterback coach Cody Buford was also on hand and added, “It’s huge to have a camp like this right in our back yard. You have the big-name college quarterback and all the great area coaches. The kids can work on the three-step pass, their footwork, they can fine tune their game – this camp gives them the chance to do all of that.”
Barnhill and Taylor were excited following the morning session.
“I want to get better, so I can help make the team better,” Barnhill said. “I think you should do everything you can in the summer to become a better player.”
Added Taylor, “Coming to a camp like this can give you an edge. Whether Caleb or I start it doesn’t matter. We both want to help the team and we want to get better. That’s why we’re here today.”
n A familiar face to all Wildcat fans was in attendance as quarterback Jared Lanpher took his share of snaps.
“This is great,” said Lanpher, who was thrust into the limelight and a starting role when Bransen Ireland went down with a broken bone in his lower leg. “Last year, there was a lot of pressure. This year, it’s going to be different. I have a year under my belt and I know the offense and I just don’t feel the pressure I felt last year.”
It was the fourth camp for the junior to be.
“I love the camp,” Lanpher said. “I get to work with Coach Donohoe and all the other great coaches. I look forward to it every summer.”
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Kelly Donohoe needed a commitment from University of Kansas quarterback Todd Reesing, who told the former Jayhawk QB and present-day Blue Springs High School football coach that he would attend his Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers Camp this week at Peve Stadium.
“I told Todd that they might take away my old No. 5 and give it to someone else if he didn’t come down to the camp,” Donohoe joked.
When Donohoe got the call from Reesing that he would attend Thursday’s session he breathed a sigh of relief.
“I couldn’t have the guy from my school not show up when (Kansas State’s Josh) Freeman and Chase (Daniel, Missouri’s quarterback) were going to be there for the second day of the camp.
“When this thing started a few years ago, we had three quarterback and three wide receiver coaches. Now, we’re up to six of each because we have 175 kids out here and we want to make it the lowest possible ratio between coaches and players.”
Reesing, who has attended the camp in the past, enjoyed his session Thursday.
“It’s a great camp,” said the native Texan, who was told he was too small to play in his home state. “It wasn’t that long ago that I was attending these camps. I really enjoy working with the young kids. They are so eager and really want to learn.”
When asked about Donohoe’s “threat” of taking away his No. 5 jersey, the quick-on-his feet Reesing said, “Coach Donohoe wore No. 5? Oh, yeah – I asked for it. Or they just assigned it to me – I really don’t remember.”
Ouch!
Reesing set 30 team records last season for the Orange Bowl champion Jayhawks and proved that good things come in 5-foot-9ish packages.
“It’s great to be a part of something like Kansas football,” Reesing said. “Now, you don’t really think about stuff like records and things we accomplished last year. I just want to continue to help the Kansas football program grow and be successful. Then, down the road a few years from now, I’ll enjoy the other things.”
n A familiar face prowled the sidelines wearing some unfamiliar gear Thursday morning as former Blue Springs player and coach, Jared Barge, scouted a couple of Oak Grove quarterbacks who will play a huge role as he takes over as head coach Pete Carpino’s offensive coordinator.
“I’m offering all the Blue Springs kids a free apartment in Oak Grove if they want to jump teams,” joked Barge, who was one of the best offensive linemen in Wildcats history and one of the most respected assistant coaches in the state.
“It’s great to see the Blue Springs kids out here – but you know who I’m watching. We have a couple of great young quarterbacks who are going to be competing for the starting job, and what a great place to get some experience.”
Junior Caleb Barnhill and sophomore Zach Taylor caught the eye of Barge and Carpino as they went from one station to another.
“Brian Salley (the Oak Grove quarterback who graduated last year) came to this camp last year and it really helped him,” Carpino said. “With Caleb and Zach we have two young guys who bring a lot to the program. They both have the potential to be good ones.”
Panthers quarterback coach Cody Buford was also on hand and added, “It’s huge to have a camp like this right in our back yard. You have the big-name college quarterback and all the great area coaches. The kids can work on the three-step pass, their footwork, they can fine tune their game – this camp gives them the chance to do all of that.”
Barnhill and Taylor were excited following the morning session.
“I want to get better, so I can help make the team better,” Barnhill said. “I think you should do everything you can in the summer to become a better player.”
Added Taylor, “Coming to a camp like this can give you an edge. Whether Caleb or I start it doesn’t matter. We both want to help the team and we want to get better. That’s why we’re here today.”
n A familiar face to all Wildcat fans was in attendance as quarterback Jared Lanpher took his share of snaps.
“This is great,” said Lanpher, who was thrust into the limelight and a starting role when Bransen Ireland went down with a broken bone in his lower leg. “Last year, there was a lot of pressure. This year, it’s going to be different. I have a year under my belt and I know the offense and I just don’t feel the pressure I felt last year.”
It was the fourth camp for the junior to be.
“I love the camp,” Lanpher said. “I get to work with Coach Donohoe and all the other great coaches. I look forward to it every summer.”
