Big 12 Football - 2021 Kansas Jayhawks Preview
Our Kansas Jayhawks preview 2021 sees this team as, once again, being at the bottom of the conference. Over the last five seasons, the Jayhawks have gone 9-48. The last time they made a postseason appearance was 2008 when Kansas beat Minnesota in the Insight Bowl 42-21. Last year, with an 0-9 record, they finished last in the Big 12. On offense in points scored, they were last in the conference and 123rd in the nation with 15.8 per game. Their scoring defense, which allowed 46.0 PPG, was ranked 10th in the Big 12 and 127th in the country. That resulted in a whopping PF/PA deficit of minus 30.2 PPG.
Kansas Offense
Three-of-five return to an O-line that last season allowed 5.2 sacks per game. That stat was the highest for any FBS program since 2009. New offensive line coach Lee Grimes has his work cut out for him. We expect this unit will be better than they were last season but to what effect? Hopefully, the line can help the rush attack, which sees the two top rushers from last season, Velton Gardner and Daniel Hishaw, come back. In 2020, each recorded two TDs, while Gardner averaged 4.5 YPA and Hishaw 4.4.
North Texas quarterback Jason Bean, who can run and pass, joins the team and is expected to start. The speedy Bean should put some pizzaz in the offense. Last season, for the Mean Green, he threw for 1,131 yards, tossing 14 TD passes and five picks. Sophomore QB Jalon Daniels, who started last season but struggled, will compete for the spot. In 2020, he completed 76 of 152 passes for 718 yards. Daniels threw one TD pass and four INTs. WR Kwamie Lassiter II is back after leading the Jayhawks with 43 receptions and 458 yards. Lassiter averaged 10.7 YPC and scored two times. Overall, the receiving group offers solid skills and a good range of experience.
Kansas Jayhawks Preview 2021 - Defense
Although the team’s 2020 defensive stats are abysmal, this side of the ball had some solid moments against Big 12 teams. Injuries and COVID certainly hurt the defense. In total, 10-of-11 starters return, including the entire frontline. The linebacking unit includes senior Kyron Johnson on the outside and Gavin Potter on the inside. Last season, Johnson, who earned All-Big 12 Honorable Mention honors last year, recorded 42 tackles, three sacks, and 1.5 TFL. Potter was good for 35 tackles, two TFL, and three QBH. Last season, as a freshman, ILB Taiwan Berryhill saw some action early in the season and impressed. He could have a breakout season.
The secondary is loaded with experience and talent. Sophomore corner Karon Prunty, who was a 247Sports’ True Freshman All-American, recorded 10 PBU, one pick, and one TFL. He posted 26 tackles. Safeties Kenny Logan and Ricky Thomas were number one and two in tackles with 58 and 42 respectively. Logan had one sack, three PBU, and two interceptions, while Thomas was good for four PBU and 0.5 TFL.
Specialists
As a freshman last season, placekicker Jacob Borcila was solid. He went 6-of-9 on field goals and 10-of-10 on extra points. The transfer of punter Kyle Thompson makes room for the leg of sophomore Reis Vernon. Our Kansas Jayhawks preview 2021 notes that Kenny Logan is dangerous on kick returns. Last season, he brought one back 100 yards against Iowa State for a TD. However, the Jayhawks were -5.0 yards on punt returns.
Kansas Jayhawks Preview 2021 - Projection
Our Kansas Jayhawks preview 2021 acknowledges that this team has a long road ahead of it. They have a tough schedule that includes South Dakota at home on September 3 and Coastal Carolina away on September 10. If they can win one of those two games and play well against Baylor (September 18) and beat Duke (September 25), this Jayhawks will be off to an amazing start. However, for such a scenario to play out, the Kansas will have to play at a level we have not seen in years.
Big 12 Football - Kansas Jayhawks 2021 - Predictions:
Tenth Place - Big 12
No Bowl Berth