Todd Reesing has started 33 consecutive games as Kansas’ quarterback, and he plans to continue the streak until his career comes to an end.

But if something should happen to the record-setting senior, and to backup Kale Pick, the least of Reesing’s concerns would be the direction of the Jayhawks’ offense.

Kerry Meier has completed 132 passes for 1,542 yards and 17 touchdowns throughout his career, and he still takes some snaps under center during practice. And although he might be a little rusty in a game situation, he insists he’s “still got it.”

Meier

“There’s no doubt if he wanted to strap it up behind center, he definitely could,” Reesing said earlier this week. “I think he could go out and start this next game and do a pretty good job. He’s still got a little something in the arm.”

If Meier played quarterback in today’s game against Texas Tech, though, he’d be at a significant disadvantage. He wouldn’t be able to throw to one of the nation’s most reliable receivers — himself.

Meier, whose 13 touchdown passes in 2006 were a Kansas record for a freshman, has carved out quite a career as a wideout. The 6-foot-3, 221-pound senior is the Jayhawks’ all-time leader in receptions, and he ranks among the top five in receiving yards and TD catches.

Mangino

As Kansas coach Mark Mangino said, “It all started with a quarterback competition he didn’t win.” Reesing won the starting role as a sophomore in 2007, and he’s since thrown for nearly 10,000 yards and led the Jayhawks to one of the most successful stretches in program history.

“It really is a great story,” Mangino said of Meier’s transformation. “He didn’t win the quarterback job, and we asked him to move to receiver because he’s incredibly talented. He has turned into our best receiver, one of the most reliable players on the team, a guy with a future in the NFL.

“He’s a perfect case of a guy who took a negative and made it a positive, and that’s because he’s very, very unselfish, very team-oriented.”

Meier, who had never played receiver before making the switch, said he’s grateful to Mangino and offensive coordinator Ed Warinner for “seeing my ability and finding a way to get me on the field.” He also said it still “blows my mind” that he was able to adapt so quickly and so well to his new position.

Last year, his first full season as a wideout, Meier caught 97 passes for 1,045 yards and eight touchdowns, shattering Kansas’ single-season record for receptions. He already has 62 catches for 634 yards and six TDs this season, and he ranks second nationally with 8.86 receptions per game.

“It’s something hard to believe,” Meier said. “Coming here, I had my mind set on doing some great things at quarterback and got off to a pretty good start. But coach Mangino brought in another dang good one with Todd, and he’s probably turned this program around with the things he’s done.

“It’s kind or weird how it all happened, but what we’ve done as a team and what I’m doing individually, I’m enjoying every second of my life. And moving positions and changing to receiver, it’s maybe giving me an opportunity at the next level. That’s my ultimate goal.”

Along with his burning desire to get on the field and contribute — and being blessed with a good set of hands — Meier said his experiences as a quarterback helped make the transition a smooth one. He already knew which routes to run and how to break down a defense, and because he thought like a quarterback, he had uncanny insight into Reesing’s decision-making on the field.

Meier also credits his strong relationship with Reesing. They’ve been close friends off the field since living together in 2006, and they’ve spent countless hours together in the film room and on the practice field.

“When I go out there, I feel like we know exactly what each other’s thinking every play,” Reesing said. “That’s why I think so many times over the last few years when I’m scrambling or things haven’t worked on the initial read, I’m able to find him. He knows where the soft spots in a defense are, and he knows where to go.”

Meier said there was never animosity between he and Reesing, even in the midst of their quarterback battle, and the dreams he used to have about throwing game-winning touchdown passes have been replaced by images of snagging a last-second heave.

Meier said he’s perfectly content to be Reesing’s sidekick as they continue to rewrite the Jayhawks’ record book and build a winning legacy.

“I definitely think we’re well on our way, but we still have a lot left out there that we’ve got to go and do and prove,” said Meier, whose Jayhawks have lost two straight since a 5-0 start. “If we can get things improved (today) against Texas Tech, we can get KU in the direction we want.”

To comment on this story:
adam.zuvanich@lubbockonline.com uE06C 766-8733
courtney.linehan@lubbockonline.com uE06C 766-8735