This isn’t breaking news, but the Kansas football team will be led by their offense in 2024 (as they were in 2023). However, if the Jayhawks want to reach unseen heights in Lawrence, the defense will need to be as good as it was last year.
For the first time since the magical 2007 season, the defense was inside the top-70 in points allowed last season. That doesn’t sound like anything crazy, but it doesn’t take much when your offense is putting up 35 points per game. Assuming the offense continues that level of production, even a slight improvement by the defense could mean a significant postseason game (or games) for Kansas.
For reference, three of their four losses last season were by seven points or less. If two of those games go the Jayhawks’ way, they would have played in the Big 12 Championship. And this season, Kansas is hoping the defense can help their football team continue to win games.
Breaking down the Kansas Defense
The major calling card for the defense will be the secondary, and it should be one of the best in the conference. Seniors Cobee Bryant and Mello Dotson were both named Preseason Big 12 First-Team selections, as they lead a veteran group into the season.
Joining them in the secondary will be redshirt senior Marvin Grant and senior OJ Burroughs. Replacing Kenny Logan won’t be an easy task, but this group is equipped to do just that.
Grant and Burroughs don’t have quite the same ability to stick their nose in on run plays. However, they make up for it with their athleticism and ability to cover more of the field.
Behind the starters is a group of inexperienced upperclassmen, so it’s a bit of a mixed bag on how they will produce when called upon. The only one with any real college playing time is Devin Dye, who recorded 81 tackles last season with Utah State.
The Front Seven
While the secondary will likely be pretty reliable as far as the starters go, the players in front of them will be why the defense could make or break the season. There are a couple major voids that will need to be filled from last season in order for this group to find success.
Austin Booker came out of nowhere to lead the team in sacks in 2023, earning Big 12 First-Team honors. After he left for the NFL draft, the second-most sacks on the team was just 4.5 by Jereme Robinson. Someone will need to step up in order for the pass rush to be effective.
The most upside comes from Bai Jobe, a four-star transfer who was the 55th ranked player in the class of 2023. While he played in just one game as a freshman at Michigan State, the hope is that he has an elevation to his game similar to Booker.
In the middle of the defense, the Jayhawks will be without the duo of Rich Miller and Craig Young for the first time since 2021. The two combined for 302 tackles in their five total seasons at Kansas. Luckily, there is a fair amount of experience stepping into their place.
Taiwan Berryhill has collected 114 tackles over the past three seasons, while Cornell Wheeler had 28 in his first season of significant playing time in 2023. The improved athleticism from the safeties should help ease the loss of the two veterans as well.
The Jayhawks lost a lot of long-time starters and big-time producers from last year’s defense. That could make for an interesting year for the defense, especially early in the season. If the Jayhawks are able to find a couple productive pass rushers and adequately replace Logan, this football team has a chance of being plenty good enough for Kansas to have high levels of success.
