On Friday night, the Kansas Jayhawks struggled all-around. For one, the offense only compiled 255 yards, and redshirt sophomore Isaiah Marshall struggled to find his footing in his second start at quarterback.
To make matters worse, the Jayhawks struggled to stop the Tigers from making big plays. Ole Miss transfer QB Austin Simmons finished with 292 passing yards and 3 touchdowns.
However, if there was one part of Kansas’ defense that looked up to the test against the SEC school, it was the Jayhawks’ defensive line.
Now, by no means was Kansas’ defensive front lockdown, but they were the least culpable of any position group for the lopsided 38-21 loss.
While the Tigers finished with 177 rushing yards, numbers that would typically be an embarrassment for any defense, it's worth noting that Missouri totaled an astounding 41 rushes.
Leading the way for the Jayhawks’ defensive line was, of course, none other than Leroy Harris III.
Harris was a do-it-all star for KU
Not only was Harris responsible for one of the two blocked field goals that night, but he also helped shut down an entire side of the field for Missouri to rush toward. On the night, Harris finished with 4 tackles, 2 of which were solo, 1 forced fumble and 2 passes defended, flexing his ability to stop passes that come his way.
“Leroy's an excellent football player. I think most people around the country are figuring that out,” opened head coach Lance Leipold to the media after Kansas fell to 1-1.
Harris was praised throughout the summer and fall for his progress, and against the Tigers, he was one of the very few who could hold his head high.
“He plays extremely hard; he gives us everything he has: his length, his athleticism. But, blocking field goals is really an effort and strain thing, and he played extremely hard for us, and you know, we're gonna need that all year. And as I told him, as we walked off the field, I was proud of the way he played.”
Against FCS side LIU in week one, Harris brought the house down with 4 tackles for loss, living up to his potential as one of the nation’s most underrated edge rushers.
Harris has been one of the biggest NCAA Transfer Portal hits that Leipold has had during his time at KU. Last season, he tallied 31 tackles, 8 passes defended and 4.5 sacks.
Harris opened his career with FCS side Chattanooga, where he played as a true freshman, finishing with 11 tackles, .5 tackles for loss and 3 fumble recoveries. Harris was named a freshman All-American by Phil Steele before entering the portal, where he was ranked as the nation’s 1,347th-best overall prospect and 129th edge rusher.
While Harris has had an electric start to the season, it is key that he keeps consistently making plays. And next weekend provides no easy task, as the Jayhawks will take on the Arizona State Sun Devils in the Union Jack Classic overseas for their inaugural Big 12 game of the campaign.
More Kansas Football News
Add us as a preferred source on Google