Kansas’ defense has already given D.K. McDonald enough reason to believe this group can be something more than solid.
The Jayhawks have pieces everywhere, starting up front with Leroy Harris III, Blake Herold, Marcus Calvin and David Santiago. Behind them, Kansas has built out real depth with Alex Bray, Kevin Oatis, Eamon Smalls and Dakyus Brinkley ready to rotate in.
At linebacker, Quincy Davis and Trey Lathan have helped steady the middle. Lathan has been a standout since arriving from West Virginia, while Davis entered the season with breakout buzz. Fellow transfer Daveon “Bam” Crouch also belongs in that conversation, though his season got off to a rough start when he was hurt on the second drive and has been working back toward full fitness.
The secondary, though, has already had its shaky moments. Missouri quarterback Austin Simmons threw for 292 yards in Kansas’ 38-21 Border Showdown loss, and that number stands out. Still, there’s a catch: the Jayhawks’ defense won’t really be fully measured until Big 12 play gets rolling.
What Kansas did handle well against Missouri was the run game. Outside of Jamal Roberts’ 64-yard burst, the Jayhawks kept the Tigers from finding consistent lanes and held them to 4.3 yards per rush.
That performance is part of why McDonald feels better about where his unit is headed. He spoke with reporters earlier this week before Kansas’ trip overseas for the Union Jack Classic against Arizona State.
“Really encouraging. I mean, that's been a point of emphasis. That was a big point of emphasis of the game, stop the run, and we did that, and if we can continue to do that, and then mix in the coverage portion, I think we can have a special defense here.”
McDonald is in his second season as Kansas’ defensive coordinator, after previous stops at Iowa State and with the Philadelphia Eagles.
“That's the goal. I think we're just one little small thing away, and I think if we can fix that going into London here and playing a really good Arizona State team.
But I think we can really be a good defense. I'm excited to go out there.”
Kansas has not exactly been tested by a long list of elite offenses yet. LIU likely won’t be confused for a heavyweight, and Missouri was the toughest challenge so far. Simmons was trusted by Lane Kiffin to run the Ole Miss offense just a year ago, which says plenty.
Even so, the Big 12 has no shortage of quarterbacks who can punish a defense that slips. Arizona State should offer a meaningful early read on where the Jayhawks really stand. Kenny Dillingham’s team brings one of the nation’s top receivers in Reed Harris, along with an unproven quarterback in transfer Cutter Boley.
In Other News...
Kansas Faces An Early Isaiah Marshall Test In Arizona State Clash
Kansas heads into its meeting with Arizona State with more than just a new opponent on the docket, because the setting alone gives this game a different feel. The Jayhawks will be dealing with a neutral-site stage that adds travel, atmosphere and a little extra pressure, while the football part of the assignment still comes back to familiar concerns: getting the run game going and helping Isaiah Marshall settle into a rhythm early.
For Kansas, that means the margin for error is slim against an Arizona State offense with real speed on the perimeter. Reed Harris and Omarion Miller give the Sun Devils two receivers the Jayhawks have to account for, which puts even more importance on Kansas' front seven and coverage discipline. On the other side of the ball, the Jayhawks also have a clear path to making life harder on quarterback Cutter Boley, and if they can disrupt him at the right times, it could shape the game long before the fourth quarter. [Read more 🡒]
Tre White Buzz Raises A Bigger Kansas Lineup Concern
Tre Whites name has started circulating again around Kansas basketball, and for good reason. The former Jayhawk is among the players involved in an Indiana lawsuit seeking a fifth year of eligibility under the NCAAs 5-in-5 rule, which at least opens the door to a possible return if hes eventually cleared to compete.
Even so, White alone would not solve the bigger issue facing Kansas as roster pressure builds. The Jayhawks are still looking at a lineup that could use more help across the board, especially with ball handling and size, and the frontcourt picture remains unsettled enough that any added depth would only go so far in addressing it. [Read more 🡒]
Kansas Opens Big 12 Play With Availability Concerns Fans Will Notice
Kansas footballs first Big 12 availability report of the season arrived with the kind of detail fans have been waiting for as conference play begins against Arizona State. Under the leagues standardized disclosure policy, both schools have to reveal player status before kickoff, giving a clearer picture of who might be available and who wont be part of the rotation on a given Saturday.
For Kansas, the report immediately raised a few eyebrows because several names landed in the out, doubtful or questionable categories, a reminder that the Jayhawks are already managing early-season attrition as the schedule tightens. Arizona States report carried its own list of unavailable and probable players, so the opener comes with roster uncertainty on both sides, and Kansas depth will get an early test before anyone has even kicked off a conference game. [Read more 🡒]