Eriq Gilyard Buys into What Kansas Jayhawks Football Is Selling

The Kansas Jayhawks football staff have been impressive utilizing the transfer portal. Kansas recently announced linebacker/safety Craig Young would transfer in from Ohio State.  The transfer portal is one way to improve teams like Kansas at a quicker rate, and they did that with Eriq Gilyard a, 5-11, 228lbs linebacker from Jacksonville, Florida. Gilyard has a significant friend at Kansas who was named to the Associated Press All-Big 12 Team. Kenny Logan Jr. led the Big 12 with 113 total tackles and all defensive backs in the country.

According to Jon Kirby at JayhawkSlant.com, Gilyard said this about Kenny Logan Jr. “Me and Kenny grew up in the same area, we’ve known each other for a while, and he has been like a primary recruiter, number one. Having that relationship with him is definitely going to be big and played a big part of me coming there.”

Why the Jayhawks Coaching Staff Was Important

Eriq Gilyard had other opportunities as SMU, Michigan State, Arizona, East Carolina, and Bowling Green were all interested in getting him on the football field. Gilyard spoke about the coaching staff at Kansas, “The coaches come from winning prior to the schools they were at before,” It is not hard to see why Coach Leipold wins by the things he does, and his way works. I believe everybody kind of follows that. Just him being a great leader set in that role for everybody. Along with the assistant coaches, they are all really cohesive.”

What Does Eric Gilyard Bring to the Kansas Jayhawks?

Gilyard played in 38 career games for South Florida. In those games, he posted 199 total tackles, one sack, two interceptions, three pass deflections, and three forced fumbles. In 2020 he led the team in tackles for loss and ranked second in total tackles. He also was awarded AAC All-Academic Team honors.

Gilyard talked about his academics, “Academics has always been one of my strong suits and something that I took very highly,” he said. “I wouldn’t say it’s easy but being brought up that way and always focusing on academics is kind of being something that I, my parents, and my support system focused on.”

The Jayhawks Are Excited about Signing Day

The Jayhawks will conduct their signing period starting today. Many of the recruits will put pen to paper making it official. The coaching staff will be excited to see their hard work come to fruition. The fanbase is already clamoring for next year.