After a slightly disappointing 2024 season where the Jayhawks were expected to keep the momentum from the previous year's 9-4 mark. Kansas only registered five wins and finished short of a bowl game due to a 45-17 loss to the Baylor Bears.
That caused mass restructuring in the program, which saw 28 transfers enter the program. The highest rated being former Pitt and South Carolina linebacker Bangally Kamara. Kamara was rated as a .9200 transfer from the SEC school according to 247Sports.
Kamara had a superb debut for the Jayhawks, marking four tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack, establishing himself as a force to deal with, as Kansas shut down an explosive E.J. Warner as Kansas stomped Fresno State 31-7.
Heading into this week, Kansas had listed Kamara as a starting linebacker. Yet, as Kansas took the field heading into tonight’s matchup against FCS side Wagner, the former Gamecock did not see any action.
Despite Kansas strolling to a 46-7 win, one of the first topics of head coach Lance Leipold’s post-game press conference was over Kamara’s health.
“Bangally suffered a non-contact injury in Thursday's practice, and his status will be unknown for a while.”
This is a massive hit for a Kansas linebacker core that was thriving off of Kamara’s experience as the redshirt senior was set to be a vital piece for the Jayhawks.
While Kansas has launched its season with a 2-0 start, things will only get more difficult as Leipold’s squad must travel east to take on SEC side Missouri next Saturday in what will be the first matchup between the two since 2011.