Kansas Football’s young, inexperienced cornerbacks and safeties will be forced to step-up this season in the place of several departing defensive backs.
With so many former Jayhawk defensive backs entering the transfer portal after the 2020 season, most of the remaining secondary players are underclassmen who have seen limited playing time.
Junior safety Kenny Logan, Jr. and super-senior safety Ricky Thomas are the only returning upperclassmen starters in the secondary.
Sophomore cornerback Duece Mayberry appeared in seven games as a freshman in 2020, making him one of the more experienced defensive backs. Mayberry will likely assume starting role at cornerback this season.
Redshirt-senior and former wide receiver Takulve Williams is now listed on the roster as a safety. Though he lacks experience on defense, his years as a pass-catcher could aid his transition.
Other than those four players, most of the listed cornerbacks and safeties are freshmen or sophomores. These young players will be immediately tested when Kansas Football takes the field this fall.
Youth in the Kansas football secondary could be a concern
Freshmen cornerbacks Jacobee Bryant and Johnquai Lewis both had strong performances in KU’s spring game, each recording an interception. These big defensive plays contributed to the defensive team’s blowout victory in the spring game.
To the 🏡! #RockChalk
— Kansas Football (@KU_Football) May 1, 2021
@jacobeebryant33 steps in front of the pass and takes it all the way for six! pic.twitter.com/nVASGEeRQn
Freshman cornerback Ra’Mello Dotson will likely see an expanded role in 2021. He appeared in three games in 2020, recording two total tackles. Dotson’s playing experience, though limited, could be an asset for him going forward.
Incoming transfer Jeremy Webb brings additional experience and depth at cornerback from his time at Virginia Tech and Missouri State.
Coach Lance Leipold’s first incoming freshman class adds 247Sports three-star cornerback DeVonte Wilson and 247Sports three-star safeties O.J. Burroughs, Jayson Gilliom, and Edwin White-Schultz to round out the secondary.
Fall camp and early season performances will reveal which of these young defensive backs will fill the roles of the departed secondary players. Though young players always experience growing pains, look for Kansas Football’s secondary to improve and gel over the course of the season.