Dineen reflects on official visit

Of the 12 official visitors in Lawrence last weekend nobody knew more about the University of Kansas or had a shorter drive home than Joe Dineen.

Dineen, a two-way standout from Free State High, took his visit last weekend to Kansas. He's already been on campus several times and knows a lot about Kansas. His mother Jodi, played volleyball for K.U. and his uncle Ronnie played baseball for the Jayhawks. His grandfather Ron was a football player at Kansas.

Clint Bowen was the lead recruiter for Dineen back when he committed in late May. Bowen knows Dineen's family well having grown up in Lawrence with many of them.

"I had a good time," Dineen said of the visit. "I got to see more of the defense with coach Bowen. The guys on the football team were really fun and I got a chance to meet some of the committed recruits who I will be playing with."

Dineen's father, Joe Sr., went with him on the visit Friday and sat through most of the meetings. On Saturday Dineen said one of the highlights was getting a chance to meet Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Kansas head coach Charlie Weis presented Rodgers with a jersey before the game. All of the recruits saw the jersey presentation.

"That was sweet," Dineen said of Rodgers. "That was the big buzz on campus."

This year Dineen had a good season on both sides of the ball for Free State. He was chosen the Sunflower League Player of the Year as well as the Gatorade Kansas Player of the Year. The Sunflower League award is now named after Andre Maloney, who was a Kansas commitment before he passed away during the season.

"It was cool and it was more of an honor," Dineen said. "It meant a lot since it was named after Andre Maloney. If he was around he probably would have won it. It was a big deal to me."

Dineen is expected to play on the defensive side for the Jayhawks, although he had a very good year at quarterback.

"I'm just really excited for next year," Dineen said. "I hope I can go in and help change the program around."