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Kansas football position breakdown for 2023: Defense

By Joshua Schulman

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - DECEMBER 05: Defensive lineman Malcom Lee #99 of the Kansas Jayhawks celebrates after a fumble recovery by Nate Betts #34 during the second half of the college football game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Jones AT&T Stadium on December 05, 2020 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS - DECEMBER 05: Defensive lineman Malcom Lee #99 of the Kansas Jayhawks celebrates after a fumble recovery by Nate Betts #34 during the second half of the college football game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Jones AT&T Stadium on December 05, 2020 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /
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Malcom Lee #99 of the Kansas Jayhawks (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
Malcom Lee #99 of the Kansas Jayhawks (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /

Defensive Ends

Returning Players:

Jereme Robinson
Hayden Hatcher
Davion Westmoreland
Ronald McGee (out for season)
Cole Petrus
Dean Miller

Newcomers:

Austin Booker (Minnesota)
Dylan Brooks (Auburn)
Patrick Joyner Jr. (Utah State)
Tony Terry (High School)

The weakside edge rusher spot is up for grabs after Lonnie Phelps departed for the NFL this offseason. Getting to the quarterback will certainly be tough for Kansas football, as none of the starting candidates have much prior success at the collegiate level. The majority are transfers from other programs that didn’t get much of a chance.

A name that has stood out to the coaching staff has been Austin Booker, so much so that his teammates have called him a ‘freak’ on the field. He could record multiple sacks for the Jayhawks this season. Dylan Brooks is a former 4-star recruit from Auburn, but it will take time for him to get acclimated to the team. There is also Jereme Robinson, a staple of last year’s defensive line and a capable run-stopper.

However, it seems that most of the pressure created by the D-line will come from its newcomers. Without question, the defensive ends are the weakest position group for Kansas heading into the regular season.

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