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Depth chart transfer review: Trey Lathan's move from West Virginia to Kansas and where his impact will be felt

How can this former Mountaineer help establish Kansas' defense heading into next season
ByConnor Mardian|
West Virginia Mountaineers linebacker Trey Lathan (4) tackles Cincinnati Bearcats wide receiver Tony Johnson (0) in the fourth quarter of a college football game between the Cincinnati Bearcats and West Virginia Mountaineers, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati. Mountaineers won 31-24.
West Virginia Mountaineers linebacker Trey Lathan (4) tackles Cincinnati Bearcats wide receiver Tony Johnson (0) in the fourth quarter of a college football game between the Cincinnati Bearcats and West Virginia Mountaineers, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati. Mountaineers won 31-24. | Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

On Monday, head football coach Lance Leipold spoke with the media over the upcoming depth chart for Kansas' week zero game against Fresno State, where the Jayhawks are set to take on the Bulldogs in an early-tone setter.

Leipold revealed the team's depth chart, and there were a number of transfers set to earn big minutes for the Jayhawks.

Today marks the beginning of our series where we will discuss the transfer Kansas looks to employ heading into the home opener against Fresno State.

For any previous players or position groups that have been previously talked about, those will not be involved in this series.

Our first transfer is Trey Lathan.

Lathan comes from West Virginia where last season, despite the Mountaineers tallying a 6-7 season culminating in a narrow 42-37 loss to the Memphis Tigers, Lathan showed potential. The former Mountaineer tallied 79 tackles, including nine tackles for loss, with two sacks as well. Last season, Lathan met the Jayhawks, where he ate 10 tackles in what was an eventual 32-28 win against Kansas.

There were three big games from Lathan last season that are worth noting, the first an intense "Backyard Brawl" against Pittsburgh where Lathan marked three tackles for loss, with four tackles and one sack, despite the Panthers winning a 38-34 contest, Lathan made his mark. The second being when West Virginia fell to the Texas Tech Red Raiders in a 52-15 contest that saw Lathan compile a tied career-high 10 tackles along with a tackle for loss.

Lathan's best game likely came when the Mountaineers took down the Cincinnati in a 31-24 win for West Virginia where Lathan had his fingerprints over eight tackles, a sack and a forced fumble, each at a pivotal point in the game, proving Lathan's X-factor potential.

Lathan isn't the perfect player, 10 other Big 12 linebackers ranked ahead of Lathan in tackles. Yet with the addition of fellow transfer Bangally Kamara from South Carolina, then the redshirt junior has a strong partner beside him.

The first chance to catch Lathan is August 23rd, as Kansas welcomes the Mountain West squad at 5:30 PM CT.

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