Pick is Big 12 bound

Dodge City, Kan., three-star quarterback Kale Pick just couldn't see himself at Arkansas anymore.

There are questions about whether or not the coaches will be there in the future and the Razorbacks' up and down season left him with more questions than answers.

That's why he decided to open up his recruitment.

But he was open for only about 24 hours. That's because he made a call that has him heading to the Big 12.

"I just committed to coach (Mark) Mangino," Pick, who is 6-foot-1 and 198 pounds, said. "I just love their offense, and I think I'm a perfect fit. I love the coaching staff. Coach Mangino was excited when I told him I wanted to be a Jayhawk. He said he couldn't wait for me to come up there and be part of the family.

"He said he felt like I would be a great fit in what they want from their quarterbacks."

Pick said he also shared the good news with KU recruiting coordinator Brandon Blaney and Jayhawk offensive coordinator Ed Warinner.

"Coach Blaney is easy to talk to," Pick said.

"I like how he tells it like it is. He's not going to just give you anything. He's going to tell you the truth, and I appreciated everything he's done and how he handled my recruitment. I also love the play calling of coach Warinner. He's a heck of an offensive coordinator, and I think I'll be a very good fit with everything I do."

Pick said he's tried twice today to talk to the Arkansas coaches about his decision to re-open his recruitment and then eventually commit to Kansas.

"I called coach Shiebest twice and have left him voice mails," Pick said.

"I don't know what their reaction is going to be honestly. Really the main reason why I decided on Arkansas originally was the coaching staff, but I know they're under tremendous pressure. I don't know if they're going to be there next year, and that's really tough when I'm dealing with something like my future."

After an amazing junior season that saw him throw for 1,779 yards and 19 touchdowns, Pick's senior season abruptly end when he suffered a season-ending injury to his throwing hand.

The injury occurred next to the ulnar collateral ligament on the thumb of his throwing hand, and it ended up being a small bone fracture. The recovery period was expected to be about 12 weeks, and Pick is already well into rehab.

"Things are going great," Pick said.

"I've got full range of motion, and I'm starting to throw already. If we make the playoffs, I think I'll definitely play. If we beat Goddard by 14 points or more on Friday, then we'll be in. I'll see how things go this week, but I'm right on track."

Pick is ranked as the nation's No. 11 dual-threat quarterback and the No. 6 player in Kansas. He originally committed to Arkansas back on May 26 and he had scholarship offers from Colorado State, Iowa State, Kansas, Wyoming, Rice, SMU and others.