When you look at each respective position group for the 2026 iteration of the Kansas Jayhawks, there should be none that look more exciting than the defensive line corps.
Yes, losing tackle Tre’Von McAlpine is a big hit on the defensive line that will be hard to replace, but even with McAlpine’s season-long absence, there is still a lot of talent spread across the line, and a decent enough amount of depth to back it up.
In that depth lies redshirt sophomore edge Dakyus (Dak) Brinkley.
According to 247Sports, Brinkley is a former 4-star who was touted as the nation’s 323rd-best player and the 25th-best edge rusher in the class of 2024, and who also happened to fit in as Kansas’ 7th-highest-rated recruit since recruiting services came about.
Brinkley’s redshirt freshman season had its ups and downs like any typical newcomer, as he finished with 15 total tackles, 5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.
It doesn’t help that Brinkley was playing in the midst of a defense that allowed 409.5 total yards per game (95th in the FBS), with a first-year defensive coordinator, D.K. McDonald.
When speaking with the media earlier this month, new defensive ends coach Joe Dineen enlightened the media on Brinkley.
“Dak is a kid that wants to be really good. He wants to be really good, so it's on us as coaches to get him to that point and let him know if he's slipping at all. You know, he wants to be coached. The maturity level with Dak has really gone up. And I appreciate working with them every day. And we're just keeping striving, 'cause he's got a lot of potential.”
What role could this mean for Brinkley this season?
According to Ourlads, Kansas’ ends are projected to be taken up by Alex Bray on the left and Leroy Harris III on the right, creating a bit of a peculiar situation for Brinkley, who is slotted under Harris.
Harris is easily one of the best players on this roster, and after a first year in the Big 12 where he notched 31 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and 8 pass breakups, there are a lot of hopes pinned on him being able to level up his game and establish himself as one of the best ends in the nation.
Ultimately, this could mean another season where Brinkley takes a secondary role, or even time at the other edge-rusher spot, something that has been tossed around for redshirt freshman Garrett Martin.
No matter what his role, Brinkley will have to be a part of a defense that is looking to revamp. Over the offseason, the Jayhawks reeled in 13 healthy new transfers who will be looking to plug the many gaps that cost KU bowl eligibility last season.
Kansas’ conquest to head coach Lance Leipold’s third bowl game in six years starts September 4 against the LIU Sharks before things immediately amp up with games against Missouri and Arizona State following.
More Kansas Football News
Add us as a preferred source on Google