Kansas Football Lands Top Defensive Line Transfer, But Faces Heavy Portal Departures
Kansas football just scored a big win in the transfer portal - and it couldn’t have come at a better time. Defensive lineman Jibriel Conde, a standout from Division II powerhouse Grand Valley State, has flipped his commitment from Wisconsin to Kansas, giving Lance Leipold and the Jayhawks a major boost on the defensive front heading into the 2026 season.
At 6-foot-5 and 280 pounds, Conde is a physically imposing presence with the kind of frame and athleticism that translates well to Power Five football. According to On3, he’s the top-ranked defensive lineman currently in the portal - and now he’s headed to Lawrence. That’s a huge get for a Kansas defense that’s in the middle of a serious offseason reshuffle.
Conde’s Commitment Flips the Script
Conde originally committed to Wisconsin just days ago, but the Jayhawks managed to pull off the flip - a testament to Leipold’s recruiting chops and the direction of the program. For a Kansas team looking to solidify its defensive identity, landing a high-upside, physically gifted lineman like Conde is more than just a splashy headline. It’s a foundational piece.
Expect Conde to compete for immediate playing time. His size and versatility give Kansas flexibility up front, and his experience at Grand Valley State - where he consistently disrupted opposing offenses - suggests he could be more than just a depth piece. This is the kind of addition that can anchor a defensive rebuild.
But the Portal Door Swings Both Ways
While Conde’s arrival is a major win, Kansas has also seen a wave of departures - 17 players have entered the transfer portal so far, many of them from key defensive positions. The secondary and linebacker rooms, in particular, have been hit hard.
Defensive Backfield Takes a Hit
Cornerbacks Jacoby Davis and Aundre Gibson have both entered the portal, continuing a trend of turnover in the Jayhawks’ secondary. Safety Lyrik Rawls, a veteran leader and one of the team’s most productive defenders this past season, is also on the way out.
Rawls racked up 72 tackles, seven pass breakups, and an interception in 2025. His departure leaves a major hole in the back end of the defense and marks the first significant loss for a unit already dealing with roster instability.
Joining Rawls in the portal are safeties Laquan Robinson and Damani Maxson, further thinning out the depth chart at a critical position.
Linebacker Room in Flux
The linebacker group hasn’t fared much better. Logan Brantley, JaCorey Stewart, and Jon Jon Kamara are all on the move.
Kamara, in particular, is a notable loss. A 6-foot-4 freshman out of Arizona, Kamara flashed elite athleticism in limited action - including a 40-inch vertical and a top speed over 22 mph.
He showed real upside with five solo tackles and half a sack in 2025 and had the tools to develop into a difference-maker. He’ll have three years of eligibility at his next stop.
Offensive Departures Add to the Turnover
Offensively, redshirt freshman quarterback David McComb is among the notable exits. At 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, McComb was seen as one of the top young arms in the program and was expected to be in the mix for the 2026 quarterback competition alongside Cole Ballard and Isaiah Marshall. With four years of eligibility remaining, he’ll be a name to watch wherever he lands.
Kansas also loses some size and experience up front with interior lineman Kene Anene and offensive tackle Greydon Grimes entering the portal. Tight end Jaden Hamm and wide receiver Bryce Cohoon are also moving on, while the running back room takes a hit with Harry Stewart III and Johnny Thompson Jr. both departing.
Roster Rebuild in Full Swing
There’s no sugarcoating it - Kansas is undergoing a serious roster overhaul this offseason. The loss of experienced defenders like Rawls, the departure of young talent like McComb and Kamara, and the thinning of key position groups all present challenges for Leipold and his staff.
But the addition of Jibriel Conde is a sign that the Jayhawks aren’t just treading water - they’re actively reloading. The portal taketh, but it also giveth. And if Kansas can continue to land impact players like Conde, there’s reason to believe this roster can stay competitive in a rapidly evolving Big 12 landscape.
The next few weeks will be telling. With more portal movement likely on the horizon and spring ball just around the corner, Kansas has work to do - but the foundation is still there. And with a few more wins like Conde’s commitment, the Jayhawks could come out of this portal cycle stronger than they entered it.