LAWRENCE – Austin Booker’s early departure and eventual selection in the 2024 NFL Draft has once again left Kansas football with the need to find an answer to its pass rush.
Booker, a defensive lineman who transferred from Minnesota, emerged for the Jayhawks in 2023. He led his team in sacks and tackles for loss before the Chicago Bears selected him in the fifth round of the NFL draft. This means that on the defensive end this upcoming season, Kansas has a position where they will have to figure out who they are going to rely on.
But defensive end isn’t the only position to keep an eye on on the Kansas defense in 2024. There are a few others as well. The better the Jayhawks play at these positions, the better their chances of competing for a Big 12 Conference championship.
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Here are these three defensive positions to watch ahead of Big 12 media days on Tuesday and Wednesday in Las Vegas:
Defensive end
This discussion starts with Kansas’ defensive end and helps veteran Jereme Robinson return for another season. Behind Booker, Robinson was one of the Jayhawks’ leaders in sacks and tackles for loss. Robinson’s presence is critical to a team that will give several players chances for standout seasons with the program in 2024.
Redshirt junior Dean Miller is among last season’s returnees who could help be that answer. Redshirt senior Dylan Wudke of Youngstown State and redshirt freshman Bai Jobe of Michigan State are two who transferred like Booker once did. And don’t forget two freshmen, DJ Warner and Dakyus Brinkley, who are two high-profile recruits from the team’s 2024 recruiting class.
Defender
With Rich Miller and Craig Young moving on to their own professional careers, two of Kansas’ regular starters at linebacker won’t be returning next season. Both contributed greatly to the Jayhawks, with Miller finishing second in tackles. Miller’s leadership on defense also proved to be substantial.
Therefore, redshirt senior Cornell Wheeler will need to become a leader on that side of the ball for Kansas. Redshirt junior JB Brown, senior Taiwan Berryhill Jr. and redshirt junior Jayson Gilliom are among those who will need to continue to develop. And keep an eye on redshirt freshman Logan Brantley.
Corner
This position could be a strength for the Kansas defense this season, mainly because of the cornerback duo of Cobee Bryant and Mello Dotson. Bryant and Dotson, both seniors, could give the Jayhawks one of the Big 12’s most formidable cornerback duos. They’re primed for All-Big 12 caliber years, if not better.
Considering that, though, it can’t all come down to Bryant and Dotson. Redshirt sophomore Brian Dilwoth and redshirt junior Damarius McGhee are two returners from last season’s team. And co-coordinator/cornerbacks coach DK McDonald, new to the staff this season, is in charge of helping them get there.
Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas athletics for The Topeka Capital-Journal. He is the National Sports Media Association Sportswriter of the Year for the state of Kansas in 2022. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.
This article originally appeared in the Topeka Capital-Journal: KU football defense will feature defensive end, linebacker and cornerback
