Things heat up for Kansas star

After a loaded class of 2007 in Kansas, things aren't as active on the recruiting front in the Sunflower State. However one player that has been getting plenty of early attention is Overland Park (Kan.) St. Thomas Aquinas athlete Kyler Reed.

Reed, who is now up to 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds, said on Thursday that he's now up to three official scholarship offers. He was offered early on by Northwestern, and then that was followed quickly by Kansas and Kansas State.

He also said Missouri has talked to him about offering, but at this point it doesn't look like the Tigers are pushing him that hard because of their interest in other players.

Reed earned honorable mention all-area honors at running back in 2006, but in college he can project at a number of different positions. He said most schools are recruiting him as an athlete.

"I want to play offense for sure," Reed said. "But I'd also be fine with defense. I ask the coaches where they like me at, and they're not too sure yet. I'd like to be a running back, because it's my favorite position. But I don't know if I see myself playing it in college. I think I'm fast enough for receiver, but I'm not a speed receiver. I'd be more of a possession type guy."

Regardless of what position he plays, he's already got plenty of options as to where he can play in college.

Reed has received one phone call so far, and that call came on this past Sunday night when Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald rang him up.

"It was pretty exciting to talk to the head coach," Reed said. "We talked for a little bit. We talked about their program, and they're trying to do up there. He asked me if I had any questions, and we talked about Drake. It wasn't a long talk. He was filling me in on what it's like up there."

The Drake he is talking about is teammate Drake Dunsmore, who signed with the Wildcats in February as a tight end prospect.

But Fitzgerald isn't the only head coach Reed has spent some time with.

This past weekend, Reed and his mother took an unofficial visit to Manhattan, Kan., to watch Kansas State practice. He spent almost the entire day up there and plans on returning this weekend to watch K-State's spring game.

"My mom talked to Ron Prince for about an hour," Reed said. "I also spent a lot of time with him. I spent time talking to coach Wall (Matt Wallerstedt) and coach (James) Franklin. They were filling me in on what their plans are for this next season. I didn't expect all the personal attention that I was getting."

Reed went on to say that he was blown away by his time with Prince.

"I really like him," Reed said. "It's hard to answer his questions because of his presence. He's such a smart guy, and he can't help but get you excited about playing for him. It'd definitely be nice to play for him."

Reed couldn't make it to Kansas' spring game, but he said Clint Bowen has been in regular contact with him and the Jayhawks are definitely an option he's considering.

"I like both schools, KU and K-State," Reed said. "I couldn't make it to KU's spring game, but I've been up there before, so I know what it's like."

At this point, Reed believes he could have a decision before the start of his senior season.

"I'm going to try to get to Northwestern this summer to see what it's like, and then maybe I'll be ready to make up my mind," he said. "It'll likely be late summer or the start of my season. It depends on how quickly I get to places to see all the schools that like me."