Kansas football Jayhawks position breakdown for 2023: Defense

Kansas football position breakdown for 2023: Defense

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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Kansas redshirt junior linebacker Craig Young (15) /

Linebackers

Returning Players:

Craig Young
Rich Miller
Taiwan Berryhill
Cornell Wheeler
Donovan Gaines
Jayson Gilliom
Dylan Downing
Cole Mondi

Newcomers:

JB Brown (Bowling Green)

Linebackers are a strong suit for Kansas football, and they will be led by the top three players on the returning player’s list. Ohio State transfer Craig Young was outstanding for KU last season, totaling 60 total tackles and 4.5 sacks. He plays the HAWK position, meaning he is a hybrid between a safety and a linebacker. Young can line up in the box or in deep zones.

Rich Miller is one of the conference’s best open-field tacklers and has high expectations heading into his final year of eligibility. Taiwan Berryhill is not as prolific of a tackler but is close behind, and he’s much more versatile on the field.

Once again, this group is very top-heavy, but there aren’t many teams in the country with this much talent at linebacker. Transfer JB Brown has been mentioned as an impressive player in fall camp and could rival Berryhill for the starting spot on the weakside. If there were one position group that fans do not have to worry about, it would be this one.

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