The Kansas Jayhawks just landed their first transfer commitment of the offseason-and it’s a big one, literally and figuratively. Defensive tackle Jibriel Conde, a 6-foot-5, 270-pound presence out of Division II Grand Valley State, is heading to Lawrence after flipping his commitment from Wisconsin. The move gives KU an early boost in what promises to be a critical rebuild along the defensive interior.
Conde, who just wrapped up his redshirt sophomore season, made his mark at GVSU with 30 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks over 10 games. Those numbers might not jump off the page at first glance, but for a defensive tackle in a rotational role, they point to a player who knows how to disrupt the backfield and hold his ground at the point of attack. And with two years of eligibility remaining, Kansas is betting that his best football is still ahead of him.
This commitment doesn’t just fill a roster spot-it addresses a growing need. The Jayhawks are losing a significant chunk of experience on the defensive line.
Veterans Tommy Dunn Jr., D.J. Withers, and Kenean Caldwell have all exhausted their eligibility, and Gage Keys, who went through senior day, is also expected to move on.
That’s a lot of production and leadership walking out the door.
Kansas does have some returning pieces. Blake Herold has shown flashes of real potential and looks poised to take on a bigger role.
Marcus Calvin has been a steady rotational player and will be a redshirt junior next season. But beyond that, the depth chart gets thin fast.
Josiah Hammond redshirted this year, and while he’s a promising young player, he hasn’t seen the field yet. The Jayhawks also have one incoming freshman, Na’kwaine Carter from Southmoore High School in Oklahoma, but they recently lost fellow recruit Lucas Smalls-Allen, who flipped to Wake Forest.
That makes Conde’s early commitment all the more valuable. The Division I transfer portal doesn’t officially open for another few weeks, so this gives Kansas a head start on retooling a position group that’s suddenly in transition. It’s also a sign that the staff is casting a wide net-Conde was one of at least two Division II players who reportedly visited KU early in the portal process, along with Slippery Rock defensive back Kanye Thompson.
Conde announced his scholarship offer from Kansas back on November 20, and now he’s officially on board. For a team that just wrapped up a 5-7 season with a 31-21 loss to Utah, this is the kind of offseason momentum the Jayhawks need. The early signing period opens Wednesday, and with holes to fill and opportunities available, expect Kansas to stay aggressive in the portal.
Conde may not be a household name-yet-but he brings size, production, and upside to a defensive line looking to reload. For Kansas, this is a smart early move in what’s shaping up to be a pivotal offseason.