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Why this Kansas youngster could be tipped to have a role next season

The Kansas Jayhawks finished with one of the nation's worst rush defenses last season.
ByConnor Mardian|
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Kansas co-defensive coordinator and cornerbacks coach D.K. McDonald works with players during a team practice Tuesday, April 2, 2024, inside the Indoor Football Practice Facility.
Kansas co-defensive coordinator and cornerbacks coach D.K. McDonald works with players during a team practice Tuesday, April 2, 2024, inside the Indoor Football Practice Facility. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Last season, the Kansas Jayhawks' rushing defense was constantly gashed. Like, constantly.

Even beyond the 372 rushing yards the Jayhawks gave up to Texas Tech in the 42-17 shellacking in mid-October. On the season, Kansas finished with the nation’s No. 105 rush defense, allowing 184.1 yards on the ground per game. 

Kansas has added reinforcements on the coaching front by bringing in former All-American linebacker Joe Dineen, who is now coaching the defensive ends. 

Through the latest iteration of the NCAA Transfer Portal, the Jayhawks reeled in five defensive lineman/edge rushers, including Kevin Oatis, David Santiago, Tre'Von McAlpine, Eamon Smalls and Jibriel Conde. 

But today we wanted to focus our attention on a redshirt freshman edge rusher who was once a highly-touted recruit for the Jayhawks. 

Adrian Holley could be poised to get some snaps next season

Holley held power-conference offers from KU, Minnesota and Cincinnati before enrolling in the Spring semester of 2025. According to recruiting outlet 247Sports, Holley was the nation’s No. 39 edge rusher and a four-star. According to the composite, Holley was the country’s No. 917 player and a three-star.

In his player profile done by KU Athletics, Holley’s senior season saw him tally 84 tackles, including 30 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks, and four forced fumbles at Michigan City High School.

Holley made one appearance last season for the Jayhawks against Wagner. 

Holley joins a cramped room

Now, while Holley clearly has the talent that getting recognized by even one service as a four-star guarantees, it's not like there is an open path for him to walk into a starting spot. He will have to get past redshirt sophomore Dakyus Brinkley, senior Alex Bray, junior Leroy Harris III, redshirt freshman Garrett Martin, freshman Hunter Higgins, the redshirt junior Santiago, freshman Draeden Punt and freshman Wyatt Brunghardt. 

Now, even with all these names set to line up for a position that is at its best available for two players, there are players who go in above him. The assumed names currently ahead of Holley are likely Brinkley, Harris and Santiago, meaning he slots into the last spot of a second string. But with the regular season still several practices away, there is time for him to push himself up the charts. 

Kansas needs to see big defensive improvements overall

Overall, last season Kansas lost in a head-to-head battle for yards in six of its 12 games from last season. In total yards allowed, the Jayhawks gave up 409.5 yards per game, measuring out to 95th-worst in the FBS. KU also gave up 28.5 points per game, good for No. 85 in the country. 

With Dineen joining the coaching staff, rest assured Kansas will not be as porous as last season. Perhaps the biggest improvement made to the defense is the natural maturation of second-year defensive coordinator D.K. McDonald. McDonald experienced several head-scratching moments last year that often allowed for the aforementioned gashing runs. However, with plenty of tape to review, Jayhawks faithful can only hope that next season is stronger.

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