Toben Opurum Highlights Kansas Class

The first thing you notice about Toben Opurum is how he looks nothing like the position he plays.

At 6-foot-2, 229 lbs., the Plano East (TX) star is more like a linebacker or a hard-hitting safety. But Opurum doesn't dole out punishment from the defensive side of the ball. Instead, he?s a hard-nosed running back, capable of running over defenders as well as running past them.

"Whatever it takes to get the most yards on a play," Opurum said. "Whether that be through, over, or around someone it doesn?t matter."

Thanks to his combination of Hulk-like size and game breaking speed, Opurum rushed for more than 1400 yards to go along with 800 yards receiving the past two seasons. Of course, being a standout in the famed Dallas-Ft. Worth metroplex led to several scholarship offers. In the end, Opurum picked Kansas over Florida, Arkansas, Notre Dame, and Purdue.

Opurum's decision was made after a trip to Lawrence, Kan. on December 15.

"I knew after the visit that there was no need to take others," Opurum said. "I saw what I needed and knew I could make a decision off that."

Opurum joins a Jayhawk recruiting class that might be the best in program history. According to Rivals.com, the Kansas class might end up being ranked among the top thirty in the nation.

He will join a program that has won three straight bowl games, including an Orange Bowl triumph in 2008.

"I believe their best football is yet to come," said Opurum of the Jayhawks.

And with a big running back like Opurum in the fold, Kansas football will just keep getting better.

Date of Article: Fri Jan 30, 2009 3:18 pm

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