Kansas football: 3 players the Jayhawks would love to have back in 2024

LAWRENCE, KANSAS - NOVEMBER 11: Running back Devin Neal #4 of the Kansas Jayhawks carries the ball during the 1st half of the game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium on November 11, 2023 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
LAWRENCE, KANSAS - NOVEMBER 11: Running back Devin Neal #4 of the Kansas Jayhawks carries the ball during the 1st half of the game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium on November 11, 2023 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
3 of 4
LAWRENCE, KANSAS – OCTOBER 28: Quarterback Dillon Gabriel #8 of the Oklahoma Sooners runs the ball against cornerback Cobee Bryant #2 of the Kansas Jayhawks during the second half at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium on October 28, 2023 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jay Biggerstaff/Getty Images)
LAWRENCE, KANSAS – OCTOBER 28: Quarterback Dillon Gabriel #8 of the Oklahoma Sooners runs the ball against cornerback Cobee Bryant #2 of the Kansas Jayhawks during the second half at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium on October 28, 2023 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jay Biggerstaff/Getty Images)

Kansas Football Player No. 2 — CB Cobee Bryant

Cobee Bryant has been the Jayhawks’ best corner for two straight years. The soon-to-be senior is a big-play machine, with his two most notable being the game-sealing pick-6 against West Virginia last year and his forced fumble scoop-and-score when Kansas beat BYU earlier this year.

Opposing quarterbacks rarely look Cobee’s way when KU is on defense. He had three interceptions, five passes defended, and 30 tackles during the regular season. Bryant is also a weapon in run defense and can surprise teams by getting into the back backfield.

The concern with him being a Jayhawk next year isn’t whether he’ll enter the draft — more so if he will enter the transfer portal. He is from Alabama and has been rightfully getting looks from SEC programs. One would have to imagine that saying no to a coach like Nick Saban is pretty difficult.

Hopefully, the coaches can convince Bryant to finish college football as a Jayhawk. He and Mello Dotson could bolster KU’s secondary next year, which is losing star safety Kenny Logan Jr.