Redshirt freshman Dakyus "Dak" Brinkley is one of the most exciting prospects currently on the Kansas Jayhawks team. The edge rusher was a former four-star who was marked as the 25th-best rusher in the nation and the 52nd-best player from a loaded Texas class that saw five five-star be spread throughout the state.
After not appearing last season in any games, fans were cautiously optimistic over how Brinkley would take to the field.
Brinkley has seen action in eight games this season, with his debut against Fresno State the best prior to Kansas’ 38-14 loss to the Iowa State Cyclones. Against the Bulldogs, Brinkley notched five tackles.
On the season, Brinkley has 15 total tackles with eight solo tackles, seven assisted, and one and a half sacks.
Heading into Ames, Iowa, Kansas defensive coordinator D.K. McDonald spoke with the media on the talents that Brinkley possesses that can make him a special player.
“He has a natural way of rushing to the passer. He can bend very well. He can turn a corner. He has natural strength, functional strength, that he can transfer from the weight room to the football field. Some kids don't have that.”
Kansas’ ability to get off the field (or lack thereof) is costing the Jayhawks big time
McDonald did not only credit Brinkley’s physical attributes, but also Brinkley’s mental sharpness, crediting that Brinkley has a primary plan but also a further counter, which McDonald quoted, “all great pass rushers have that.”
Brinkley’s father, Jasper, played linebacker at South Carolina and later in the NFL for seven seasons, spending time with the Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, Dallas Cowboys, and New York Giants.
While Brinkley has stabilized himself as a part of this rushing core, in general, the Jayhawks have struggled mightily when defending the rush with the nation’s 111th-worst rush defense that allows 186.4 yards per game. Kansas sits middle of the pack with 2.1 sacks per game, which sits 50th in the nation.
The last chance to see the Jayhawks is next Friday at 11 a.m. CT against the AP-rated No. 14 Utah Utes, in what is a make-or-break game in order to secure bowl eligibility for the Jayhawks.
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