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

Kansas Football Player No. 3 — DE Austin Booker

Austin Booker committed to Kansas last year having recorded just two tackles at the collegiate level. Now, he has transformed from a second and third-string player to becoming the Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year and garnering All-Big 12 honors.

The Minnesota transfer sacked the quarterback eight times this year with four additional tackles for loss. He finished the regular season with 56 total tackles and two forced fumbles. The 6-foot-6 unit of a man was a nightmare for opposing offensive coordinators to scheme against all year long.

Although he is technically a sophomore in terms of eligibility, he is eligible to declare for the NFL Draft because he redshirted as a true freshman. There is plenty of professional upside in Booker’s game, and he has the size to be a starter in the league one day.

Like Cobee, we have to worry about him leaving via the portal. Booker could undoubtedly transfer to a more respected college football program in the SEC or Big Ten and start immediately. An argument can be made that he was a top-15 edge rusher in the sport across these past few months.

Personally, I’d bank on him returning to Kansas for one more season so he can prove to scouts he is the real deal. But it wouldn’t surprise me at all to see him test the draft waters.