Kansas spent too many late-game snaps last season looking a step behind, and that’s exactly the problem Lance Leipold tried to fix in the transfer portal.
The Jayhawks brought in 14 eligible defensive transfers, and among them, Daveon “Bam” Crouch stands out as the one who could matter most right away. He arrives from Boston College with a résumé that includes 107 total tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 3 sacks and 1 interception over four seasons.
Crouch’s path at Boston College was a little uneven. He opened last season as a captain, but injuries kept him from seeing much of the field before he entered the portal. Still, the talent was obvious enough for 247Sports to rate him as an 86-overall 3-star and part of the nation’s 53rd-best transfer class.
When asked earlier this month what he brings to a defense, Crouch put it plainly: “Being aggressive, being able to knock people back, being able to make big plays. I feel like I also have a good coverage game.
You know, guarding tight ends, running backs, out of the backfield. So I feel like I bring those two to the table.”
That mix matters for a Kansas defense that was far too vulnerable in key moments last season. The Jayhawks finished with the nation’s 95th-worst defense in the FBS, giving up 409.5 yards per game. Against the pass, they were better, ranking 68th nationally by allowing 225.4 yards per game.
But the bigger issue was how often the unit lost control late. KU repeatedly looked out of sync in the fourth quarter, and the results showed up in rushing touchdowns that sealed losses against Missouri, Cincinnati and Arizona. Over the final six games, the Jayhawks allowed an average of 33 points per game.
Crouch is part of a linebacker overhaul that also includes Jibreel Al-Amin, Jaron Willis and Quincy Davis. According to Ourlads, Crouch is projected to start at weakside linebacker next to Trey Lathan in the middle, with Crouch ahead of redshirt senior Al-Amin and true sophomore Malachi Curvey.
That experience gives Kansas a better chance to steady things, but the real answer won’t come until the season starts. The Jayhawks open against LIU on September 4, and that’s when Crouch gets his first chance to show whether he can be the kind of on-field leader this defense has been missing.
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Keaton Kubecka Is Forcing His Way Into Kansas Receiver Battle
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What has stood out to Kansas coaches is the steadiness Kubecka has brought back to his game, along with a more aggressive approach that has helped him re-establish trust. The Jayhawks have also adjusted practice scheduling to keep players fresher through camp, a small but meaningful change as Kubecka tries to turn this momentum into a real role when the season begins. [Read more 🡒]