Kansas football: 5 highest-rated Jayhawks in first half of season, according to PFF

Sep 30, 2023; Austin, Texas, USA; Kansas Jayhawks linebacker Cornell Wheeler (44) runs after catching an interception during the first half against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 30, 2023; Austin, Texas, USA; Kansas Jayhawks linebacker Cornell Wheeler (44) runs after catching an interception during the first half against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports
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Kansas redshirt senior offensive lineman Dominick Puni (67) hikes the ball during practice Thursday.
Kansas redshirt senior offensive lineman Dominick Puni (67) hikes the ball during practice Thursday.

5. LT Dominick Puni  (79.9)

Puni has been one of the best offensive tackles in the Big 12 despite playing at guard in prior seasons. He has been the cornerstone of a much-improved Kansas football offensive line over the past two seasons.

Once a NCAA Division II athlete at Central Missouri, Puni is now getting talked about as a Day 2 NFL Draft selection. An analyst described his pass-blocking skills as “almost boring” because “he was that good.” His 89.9 pass-blocking grade on PFF backs up those claims.

The only O-lineman who can even rival Puni’s grades is Michael Ford Jr., who holds an 83.1 pass-blocking grade and 76.1 run-blocking grade. Even so, Puni is taking on more challenging competition off the edge and even held his own against future NFL 1st-rounder Jer’Zhan Newton.

While Puni’s 73.0 run-blocking grade is nothing to bat your eye at, his presence in the passing game is felt every down at the most important position in the trenches.