Kansas football lands commitment from experienced SEC linebacker

Kansas football fans expected the 2024 campaign to be a special year, with the Jayhawks aiming for a Big 12 title in the preseason. Unfortunately, it's been a major letdown of a season. Kansas has consistently struggled to maintain leads in the fourth quarter, leading to one of the poorest records in the conference.

But if Lance Leipold wants to keep the program afloat and avoid continued failure, he and his coaching staff must continue to assemble competent teams. A move this week was a step in the right direction. The Jayhawks made a surprise addition to next year's roster by adding former Pitt and South Carolina linebacker Bangally Kamara.

South Carolina transfer Bangally Kamara commits to Kansas football

A former 4-star recruit, Kamara committed to Pitt out of high school and spent four seasons there. Since he played in the 2020 COVID-19 season, the Akron native has an extra year of eligibility. The two parties had been gaining traction in the weeks prior.

From 2022-2023, Kamara totaled 104 tackles (10 TFL) along with three sacks, one interception, and eight pass deflections at Pitt. He played in four of South Carolina's games this season but redshirted in October to preserve his final year of collegiate eligibility. Kamara entered the portal as a graduate transfer and decided Kansas was right school for him.

In the age of NIL, it isn’t uncommon for players to enter the transfer portal midseason. Former UNLV quarterback Matthew Sluka, who had a terrific performance against the Jayhawks in their Week 3 loss, left the Rebels' program due to payment complications.

According to South Carolina coach Shane Beamer, the exchange between him and Kamara became heated when the player told him he wanted to redshirt. Beamer wanted Kamara to see an extended role moving forward. After going back and forth, the program agreed to let Kamara transfer.

With starting linebackers Cornell Wheeler and JB Brown set to graduate following the 2024 campaign, the addition of a player like Kamara was direly needed. Kansas will surely make additional moves in the transfer portal this offseason, but it's promising to see the coaches building for the long term.