Kansas football could form a dangerous edge rusher duo with its new commits, Dakyus Brinkley and Deshawn Warner.
If there’s one thing the Kansas Jayhawks have struggled with in the past, it has been defense. They’ve consistently put out one of the worst FBS groups on the defensive side of the ball. One reason for this could be KU’s lack of playmakers.
However, there is certainly no shortage of defensive playmakers in the 2024 recruiting class. In the last few days, defensive backs coach Jordan Peterson has brought in some of the best high school defensive ends to ever commit to Kansas.
Dakyus Brinkley committed to the Jayhawks yesterday. He is the No. 259 player and No. 21 edge rusher in the Class of 2024 on the 247 Sports Composite, good for the second highest-rated commit in program history. The only player he trails is failed JUCO experiment, Marquel Combs.
Additionally, Deshawn Warner became the third Desert Edge High School student to pledge to Kansas in 2024. The 6-foot-4, 225-pound defensive end from Arizona offers tremendous potential for the future of the Jayhawks’ D-line.
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Warner is the No. 674 player on the 247 Sports Composite and the No. 46 EDGE. With this level of talent coming into Lawrence, one can only imagine what a difference this will make for KU’s oft-underachieving defense.
Whereas Warner is more of a power rusher and run-stopper, Brinkley is more of an athlete off the edge. However, that’s not to say he doesn’t possess plenty of strength for his size. Both of them might only see situational snaps early in their collegiate career, but they could become every down players alongside each other in the future.
It’s been quite some time since Kansas football has had such highly touted recruits on the defensive end. Assuming Warner and Brinkley stay committed to the program, they could be a menacing duo to opposing Big 12 schools for years to come.
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