Kansas football: Kenny Logan Jr. poised for special senior season

If there’s one player Kansas football fans should keep their eyes on this year, it’s senior safety Kenny Logan Jr. Although the upcoming season is more than a month away, Logan continues to rack up the preseason recognition.

Earlier this month, Logan was named to the Preseason All-Big 12 Team by Big 12 media members. Then on Monday, he was listed on the Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watch List, an annual award given to the nation’s top defensive back in college football.

It’s the first time a Jayhawk has been included on the list since Ring of Honor member Darrell Stuckey in 2009.

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It’s no surprise Logan is picking up the early honors given his performance last year.

Logan was arguably the best player on the Kansas roster last season as he led the team – and the Big 12 – in tackles with 113. His 79 solo tackles ranked third in the country among all positions, and he also chipped in four tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, and one interception.

His production earned him a spot on the All-Big 12 Second Team as well.

Of all the players on this year’s roster besides perhaps Earl Bostick Jr., Logan (as of now) appears to be the one with the greatest potential of hearing his name called in the 2023 NFL Draft  – which should be added motivation for him to have a stellar final year in Lawrence.

Logan the leader

While Logan’s contributions on the stat sheet will greatly impact this team’s chances, his ability to contribute as a leader will be just as important.

There’s a reason Logan was selected as one of KU’s representatives for Big 12 Media Days for the second consecutive year and it’s because he has a voice that his teammates look up to and respect.

Logan could have used the transfer portal to transfer to any number of more prominent Power 5 programs, but he chose to stick it out at Kansas. He chose the team over himself. And it’s clear that decision meant a lot to head coach Lance Leipold.

"“Kenny could have hit the eject button like a lot of other people decided to do,” Leipold said at this year’s Big 12 Media Days. “Kenny found a good home in Lawrence. It’s important to him. I think he is a great example, his leadership in the locker room, his passion on game day and the way he flies around the football field is something we’ll always build on.”"

This Kansas defense has a lot of new faces – from both the high school ranks and the transfer portal – and Logan will be looked to as the one to unite and guide them this season.

No one deserves more to see this program turned around than Logan. If he can be the leader he’s capable of being and can build on his production from last year, we could very well witness a special season from this special senior.