He plays T. This isn't the kid in Hawaii, sorry if u were thinking of him, I should have been clearer...
Nathan D'Cunha was a key target for the Jayhawks before leaving the country
This past weekend D'Cunha was in Lawrence for an official visit. The clock was ticking and he knew he had to make a quick decision. The 6-foot-7, 305 pound lineman is scheduled to sign next week in the early period. He is headed back to his home in Australia with is mind made up.
"I knew I had to make a decision and I decided to commit to Kansas," D'Cunha said. "I called John Reagan and then had the chance to speak with Mark Mangino. They were both very excited about my decision."
Reagan, the Jayhawks offensive line coach, picked up the recruiting on D'Cunha. There were several schools making a late push for the tackle and he settled on Kansas for his final visit.
"He has a lot of experience and has coached some good linemen," D'Cunha said of Reagan. "He really worked hard in the recruiting process and that showed me something. I went on the visit and got to know him even better. He's a good family man and I'm looking forward to playing for him."
Back in the summer D'Cunha committed to Baylor. He had early offers from Baylor, San Diego State, Kansas State, Iowa State, and Nevada. In the past couple weeks he said Kansas, Kansas State, Tulsa, and Syracuse all made a push at him. After several phone conversations he decided to take his final visit to Lawrence.
"I was very impressed with everything they had," he said. "One thing that stood out was their academics. They have great academics there and that was something important to me. I met with some of their academic advisors. I also liked their strength coach (Chris Dawson). He and I talked for quite a while and I think I can continue to get stronger under him."
On the trip D'Cunha was hosted by Ryan Cantrell and Cesar Rodriguez. He said both of the linemen did a good job on the visit.
You might say D'Cunha took the long way to earning a division one scholarship. As a high school athlete in Australia he was a standout in basketball and rugby. He picked up football where he ended up earning a spot on the national team that participated at the World Games in Germany.
It was his performance in Germany that caught the attention of his national coach Paul Manera. After holding his own against several players including those that played in NFL Europe D'Cunha made the trip to Santa Barbara Community College. Manera also took the same path as a player going to America to play junior college football and earning a scholarship at Hawaii.
"I always played basketball and once I stopped I hit the weights and started putting on weight," D'Cunha said. "Then when I went to Santa Barbara I put on more weight."
The Jayhawks got film on him and convinced him to use an official visit before he headed back to Australia. They liked what they saw enough to offer a scholarship.
"It was a huge relief when the offer came," he said. "I know they are going to the Orange Bowl and had a great season. But they aren't going to stop there. They are going to keep winning and playing well in the future and that's what I want to be a part of. They told me they liked my size and my maturity. I followed my dream here and I'm ready to get in and work hard at Kansas."
D'Cunha has already started his trip back to Australia. The three-star prospect said he will sign with the Jayhawks in the early signing period next week.
