Allen turns up Kansas QB at old high school

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Dec 15, 1999 by Kurt Caywood Capital-Journal

By KURT CAYWOOD

The Capital-Journal

LAWRENCE --- Terry Allen returned to his old neighborhood to find the player who just might be Kansas' quarterback of the future.

Kevin Long, a 6-foot-5, 205-pound senior who earned all-state honors after leading Iowa City (Iowa) West High to back-to-back undefeated seasons and Class 4A state championships, has given an oral commitment to the Jayhawks.

Like Long, Allen is a former all-state QB from Iowa City West.

"It got his foot in the door," Long said.

From there, Long became sold on Allen as a coach and KU as an upwardly mobile football program --- so sold that, after eliminating Illinois and Iowa State from his list, he picked the Jayhawks over the University of Iowa.

"It was between Iowa and Kansas, and coach Allen is really great," Long said. "It just felt really comfortable there. It's the right fit. Coach Allen recruited me hard, and was a great recruiter, with the kind or person he is and the kind of personality he has."

In two years as West's starter, Long passed for 2,178 yards and 21 touchdowns with 14 interceptions. He also rushed for 1,185 yards and 22 touchdowns.

In front of a Class 4A record crowd of 16,019 last month at the UNI Dome, Allen's home field during his years at Northern Iowa, Long scored the game-winning touchdown in overtime as the Trojans beat Cedar Falls, 28-21, for their second straight 13-0 finish and state title.

"Let's just say this," West coach Reese Morgan said. "The past two quarterbacks here at West have signed with Iowa, and I can easily say that Kevin has more athleticism and talent than both of those guys."

Long, who has been timed at 4.65 seconds in the 40-yard dash, plays basketball and runs track. On the football field, he said, he's part runner, part passer.

"I'm somewhere in between," he said. "I can run, no question. I'm not just a drop-back guy."

KU began recruiting him last summer, and took his official trip to Lawrence way back on Sept. 3. He made his official visit to Iowa on Dec. 3 and last weekend went to Illinois.

"Of course, growing up in Iowa City, I was an Iowa fan," said Long, whose uncle, Grinnell, Iowa, native Kirby Criswell, lettered as a KU defensive lineman from 1977-79. "It was an extremely hard decision to make, but I made it. I had a gut feeling."

For years, the Jayhawks have looked for a quarterback to establish himself firmly in the program. No one has started two full seasons at the position since Chip Hilleary did it from 1990 to '92, and not since Frank Seurer have they had a four-years starter.

Presently, KU has five quarterbacks on the roster but none with significant experience behind senior starter Dylen Smith.

Long, with the most extensive prep pedigree in the program, would be a top candidate in 2001.

"I'm not cocky or anything, but I think we I work hard and put in the time, we can be very successful," Long said. "If you establish yourself with a lot of talented players, you're going to be better, and I think that's what coach Allen is doing."

Long is the 12th player known to have committed to KU. The national signing period begins Feb. 3.

KANSAS COMMITMENTS

Tony Coker OL 6-5 295 HoisingtonKevin Long QB 6- 5 205 Iowa Falls (Iowa) WestJohnny McCoy DB 6-1 185 Killeen, TexasDavid McMillan DE 6-5 250 Killeen, TexasRichard Pope OL 6-6 275 Evanston (Ill.) TownshipChris Tyrrell K-P 6-1 215 Liberty, Mo.Travis Watkins OL-DL 6-4 280 Derby Junior collegeRyan Atkinson DT 6-2 285 Citrus (Calif.) College/Laverne (Calif.) DamienDamon Benford DE 6-4 270 Blinn (Texas) CC/Killeen (Texas) EllisonRoger Ross WR 5-7 170 Garden City CC/Arvada (Colo.) JeffersonDe'Nard Whitfield DE 6-4 240 Fort Scott CC/ Denison,(Texas)Columbus Wooley LB 6-2 222 Blinn CC.