While only two Kansas football players were selected in the NFL Draft, multiple ex-Jayhawks signed UDFA deals or accepted camp invites in hopes to crack the opening 53-man roster. One of those undrafted players is JB Brown, who inked a post-draft contract with the Denver Broncos.
The former KU linebacker is currently working his way toward a long-term spot in Denver. In a recent interview with the Denver Gazette, he explained why the Broncos were the right choice for him.
Former Kansas star JB Brown is an under-the-radar talent
Brown spent the 2023 and 2024 seasons in Lawrence, amassing 131 total tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 7.0 sacks, and two forced fumbles across 25 games. He was a highly touted transfer addition out of Bowling Green and came into his own at KU, earning an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention this past season.
Behind star linebacker Dre Greenlaw and former third-round pick Drew Sanders, making the final roster in Denver will not be easy for Brown. However, he knows that it is a cutthroat business and that he will need to give it his all.
“It’s a business at this point,’’ he said in the interview. “To take somebody’s job, that’s what I came to do."
Brown also believes the Broncos' scheme lines up with his skill set. He is willing to play wherever the team needs him and played in a similar defense at BGSU.
“It was a good fit for me, and (the Broncos) showed a lot of interest with the guaranteed money,” Brown said. “I feel like I have a good chance to make the 53-man roster. … I can bring a lot with special teams and on defense. I’m a good, solid blitzer and at Bowling Green, I was in a very similar defense. I think I’ll fit in perfectly.”
Along with Brown, several other Jayhawks unexpectedly watched seven rounds go by without hearing their names called. Cornerback Cobee Bryant and offensive lineman Logan Brown were considered sure-fire draft picks, but they had to follow through with the UDFA process instead.
He may not have been ranked highly in the pre-draft process, but Brown is not one to shy away from a challenge. His mindset alone will undoubtedly lead to numerous opportunities at the next level.