Smith Offered By KU

Wichita Heights fullback Dreamius Smith was offered a football scholarship Wednesday night by KU football assistant Robert Wimberly, according to Heights football coach Rick Wheeler. Smith, who compiled 1,426 rushing yards in 2009 for Heights on the way to the Class 6A state title game, is in the midst of basketball season, scoring 9.4 points per game for Kansas' No. 1-ranked team.

Smith, who missed the 2008 season as a sophomore with an ACL injury, was an important part of Heights' late-season surge through districts and playoffs. The Falcons started 2-4 but won six straight before losing 34-3 to Olathe North in the 6A title game. Against Derby in district play, Smith rushed for 128 yards and a touchdown; then at sub-state, he torched Derby for 242 yards and a touchdown. He scored four touchdowns against Wichita South in their opening-round playoff re-match, after an embarrassing loss to the Titans in the regular season.

Smith is nowhere near committing to the Jayhawks, however. Wheeler said Smith hopes to receive more offers.

This is Wheeler's first player to be offered by KU. Wheeler has had two previous Division I recruits at Heights who were offered out of high school that ended up signing. Xzavie Jackson, who moved from California to Wichita for his senior season at Heights, signedwith Missouri in 2003. T.J. Atwater signed with Wyoming in 2005. Atwater just finished up his senior season.

Former Heights defensive end Ian Knight received four Division I offers last year but graduated early and went to Hutch Community College; he signed with Friends University this month.

Two former Heights players ended up Division I football players after junior college stints: Chase Carter, who first attended Coffeyville, wrapped up an excellent career at Northern Illinois in 2008, and Craig Ratanamorn, who played soccer at Barton County and Marshall, ended up as the starting placekicker for Marshall football in 2008 and 2009.

CORRECTION (posted 2/18/10 at 4:27 p.m.)

Former Heights standout Daley Gunter signed with Howard University football out of high school. As a red-shirt sophomore wideout in 2009, he caught 10 balls for 126 yards.