Kilgore (Texas) Junior College cornerback Michael Mathis, a 6-foot-2, 205-pound, three-star prospect, told Jon Kirby of JayhawkSlant.com that his commitment to the Kansas University football program was solid despite the Jayhawks' change in leadership.

Mathis said he received a phone call from Beaty shortly after the announcement and that was enough to keep him committed.

"He told me about himself and how he can use me on the defensive side," Mathis told Kirby. "But the big thing is he wanted me to be a part of the Jayhawk family, and that is something I want to be a part of at the end of the day. He told me he watched my highlight film and I'm glad he is giving me the chance."

Mathis is expected to sign his letter of intent Dec. 17, on the mid-year signing day, and plans to report to Kansas in time for spring practices.

Mathis is one of 13 oral commitments in KU's 2015 recruiting class and both former interim coach Clint Bowen and recruiting coordinator Reggie Mitchell said during the final few weeks of the season that the previous KU coaching staff had done a solid job of keeping those players committed to Kansas.

Mitchell said the fact that many of the commitments made their decisions because of their fondness for KU and not just a coach helped the staff keep the class together.

Bishop Miege quarterback Ryan Willis, who recently led the Stags to a 13-0 season and a state championship, was one of the first in the class to commit to KU. Kirby reported that Willis met with Beaty last Friday night and came away impressed.

"I enjoyed talking to him last night after he was hired," Willis told Kirby. "He told me that I was a top priority and he was looking forward to me slinging the ball around the field. He was extremely energetic. He seemed like he was on a mission to take this program in the right direction."

Because of the low number of returning players, KU has more than enough room to bring in a full class, which means Beaty and crew will be able to add at least a dozen players of their own, perhaps more, depending upon what happens with the rest of the current commitments.