Kansas OL emerging

In his time as a head coach, Marvin Diener has worked with many high-level Division I prospects, including most recently Kansas running back Jake Sharp.

Most his career was spent at Salina (Kan.) Central, but now he's building a new powerhouse at Gardner (Kan.) Edgerton, and he's got the schools first major Division I prospect in years.

Meet offensive lineman Cameron McClain.

The 6-foot-3, 280-pounder was a first-team all-state selection by both the Wichita Eagle and the Topeka Capital Journal. He was also selected second-team all-metro by the Kansas City Star, and Diener believes he's going to be one of Kansas City's most heavily courted prospects in the class of 2009.

"He's a strong kid," Diener said. "He squats 500, cleans 300, benches 325, and those are all good numbers. I'd say he's probably a 5.4 kid in the 40, but that's an electronic time. He's got some really nice skills. He's got good balance, good feet and can really run for a big guy.

"He's a big, strong guy that can really move."

Kansas and Missouri have expressed the most interest so far, according to Diener. But he said he's getting regular mail from schools all over the region and a few national programs.

"Height wise, he's right on the edge of being a Big 12 caliber recruit, but I have no doubt he's talented enough to be a Big 12 kid," Diener said. "He's really good, no question. He's got good technique and moves so well that somebody will come after him really hard. When colleges get a hold of the tape with him doing agility drills and box jumps, they'll see what type of athlete he is."

Diener said McClain has worked hard to trim up over the past few months and that's bound to encourage more recruiters to look hard at him.

"He was at 295 earlier and now he's trimmed up and so much more athletic," Diener said. "I think he's going be a guy people are going to fall in love with when they see him on film. He's the type of kid that his film will speak for itself."