Kansas football fans have endured some abysmal years in the previous decade, but Lance Leipold has brought the program back to relevancy after leading them to a 9-4 record and a bowl win in his third year as head coach. For the first time in many years, the Jayhawks could see that success pay off in the NFL Draft.
According to a seven-round mock draft by Shane P. Hallam of Draft Countdown, three former Jayhawk standouts should expect to hear their names called at the podium next month. It projects offensive lineman Dominick Puni to go 92nd overall to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, EDGE Austin Booker to go 135th overall to the San Francisco 49ers, and tight end Mason Fairchild to go as a late-round flier at 247th overall by the Houston Texans.
Three former Kansas football players selected in latest NFL Mock Draft
For months, Booker and Puni were considered locks to be selected in the draft, but Fairchild's emergence as a prospect was unexpected. He caught 62 balls for 894 yards and nine touchdowns over the past two seasons, serving as KU's top tight end target after playing sparingly his first three years.
Puni and Booker were brought in via the transfer portal by Coach Leipold, while Fairchild was one of the first players to commit when Les Miles was hired. Booker came in as a transfer from Minnesota, while Puni transferred in from Division II Central Missouri two years ago.
Booker was excellent in his lone season as a Jayhawk, totaling 56 tackles (12 for loss), eight sacks, and two forced fumbles. He was one of the most dominant defensive players in the Big 12. While he lacks game film and experience, his physical tools were enough to earn him recognition from professional scouts.
Puni immediately stepped into a starting role for Kansas, playing left guard in his first year and left tackle in the previous campaign. He projects as an interior lineman in the draft but has shown versatility to play both positions. Puni was also the pillar of KU's run game, which ranked top 15 in the country last year.
If Draft Countdown's mock draft turns out to be correct, Puni would be the highest-selected Jayhawk in the NFL Draft since Aqib Talib in 2008. He would also be the second-highest-picked KU player since 1996. Kansas has not had three players selected in the NFL Draft since 2015.