5 questions facing Kansas football’s defense as Big 12 Conference media days draw closer

LAWRENCE — Cobee Bryant represented Kansas football’s defense on the Big 12 Conference’s preseason all-league team this week, and it’s not hard to understand why. Bryant, a junior cornerback for the Jayhawks, was voted by the Big 12’s head coaches as a first-team, all-conference player in 2022. He’s poised to be better this year after an offseason of development, and a second spring to better acclimate to defensive coordinator Brian Borland’s system. So, there was likely going to be enough of a media contingent voting on the preseason All-Big 12 team that would give him a look. But Bryant’s presence on the list doesn’t mean there aren’t questions about Kansas’ defense in 2023, just as him being the lone Kansas defender on the Big 12’s preseason squad doesn’t mean the unit lacks more talent. Prior to the Big 12 Conference’s media days, scheduled for July 12-13 in Arlington, Texas, there’s a lot of attention on the strides this side of the ball could make this season. Here are five things to think about. What level of confidence should there be in Kansas’ pass rush? Lonnie Phelps Jr.’s name has come up a lot since the end of the 2022 season. After he led Kansas in tackles for loss and sacks in his lone season with the Jayhawks, after the defensive end transferred in from Miami (Ohio), he elected to start his professional career and not return to college. So, there’s attention on what Kansas is going to do without him. No, there doesn’t have to be one player who makes up for, or exceeds, what Phelps was able to accomplish. That pass rush doesn’t only have to come from the defensive line, or more specifically the defensive ends, either. But considering health affected how much head coach Lance Leipold was able to evaluate his defensive ends during spring ball, it’s unclear in some respects how formidable the Jayhawks’ pass rush is going to be able to be at this point. Will Kansas be able to stop the run effectively? The answer to this question will help inform the answer to the first to some extent. The better Kansas is at stopping the run, the better it’ll be at putting opposing offenses in clear passing situations that’ll allow the Jayhawks’ pass rushers to go after the quarterback. But it is a question in its own right. If Kansas is able to continue to improve in this area, it’ll be able to make teams more one-dimensional, and spend less time on the field. The Jayhawks’ secondary is more experienced now than it was a year ago, but opposing offenses won’t need to test themselves against it if they can run the ball all day — or night. Can Kansas continue to make strides in forcing turnovers? Kansas forced more turnovers in 2022 than it did in 2021, and the more that trajectory can stay pointed in a positive direction the more likely the Jayhawks will be able to make a second-straight bowl game. It’s one example, but take a look at what winning the turnover battle helped Kansas do against Oklahoma State this past season. The more opportunities the Jayhawks can give their offense, the better. Bryant led the team with three interceptions last season, and was one of four Kansas players with at least two. There’s potential there for more playmaking. Bryant delivered the Jayhawks an overtime victory in 2022 against West Virginia with an interception returned for a touchdown. Is Craig Young able to be even more capable this season? Young, like Phelps, played in his first season at Kansas last year after transferring in from another school. Young came from Ohio State. And in his first year, Young showcased his versatility at linebacker. But Young, who’s a redshirt senior, has aims of turning pro after this season. Making that jump to the NFL becomes a lot easier if he can make a lot of strides individually in 2023. Last season, he finished third in tackles, fourth in tackles for loss and second in sacks. Are there going to be any breakout players? Like Kansas’ offense, the Jayhawks’ defense has experience coming back from last season at key spots. But there does seem to be more of an opportunity, at this point, for players to shine at Kansas in a way they haven’t in the past. And some of those players, while new to the roster, aren’t new to college football. JB Brown, a junior linebacker who transferred in from Bowling Green, is one name to know. Devin Phillips, a redshirt senior defensive lineman who transferred in from Colorado State is another. And more may establish themselves as the fall progresses.