The Kansas Jayhawks have been quietly building something special over the past few seasons, and now, that progress is showing up on Sundays. Three former Jayhawks-Austin Booker, Devin Neal, and Cobee Bryant-are making their presence felt in the NFL, each in his own way, and it’s not just about stats. It’s about impact.
Let’s start with Austin Booker, who’s been a bright spot on the Chicago Bears’ defensive front. He’s not just logging snaps-he’s producing.
Booker has recorded multiple tackles in each of his last five games, showing a level of consistency that’s rare for a young defensive lineman still finding his footing in the league. His performance on Dec. 7 against Green Bay stood out: five tackles, three of them solo, in a hard-fought 28-21 loss.
But it was what he did the following week that really turned heads. In a dominant 31-3 win over Cleveland, Booker notched four tackles and two sacks, flashing the kind of pass-rushing ability that can change games.
He’s proving he can bring pressure off the edge and hold his own in run defense-a valuable combo for any front seven.
Then there’s Devin Neal, the hometown hero from Lawrence who’s brought his tough, downhill running style to the NFL. Neal turned in a strong stretch of games before a hamstring injury cut his rookie season short.
On Dec. 7, he ran for 70 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries in a win at Tampa Bay, showing patience between the tackles and the burst to finish runs. He followed that up with a 28-yard, one-touchdown performance in a victory over Carolina, and added 47 rushing yards in a Nov. 30 game against Miami.
While the numbers might not jump off the page, Neal was carving out a role and showing he belonged. His placement on injured reserve is a tough break, but he’s already shown enough to suggest he’ll be a factor when he returns.
And don’t overlook Cobee Bryant, who’s showing the kind of confidence you want in a young cornerback. On Dec. 11, in a tight 29-28 win over Tampa Bay, Bryant recorded five solo tackles and spent much of the game matched up with one of the league’s toughest assignments: Mike Evans.
That’s trial by fire, and Bryant didn’t back down. His ability to play physical, stay disciplined in coverage, and tackle in space is exactly what teams look for in a starting-caliber defensive back.
All three players are proving that Kansas football isn’t just turning a corner at the college level-it’s sending real talent to the pros. Booker is developing into a disruptive force on the line.
Neal looked like a steady contributor in the backfield before his injury. And Bryant is holding his own against elite NFL receivers.
From Lawrence to the league, these former Jayhawks are showing they can play-and play well-on football’s biggest stage.