Elite Transfer is Kansas Football's Surprise 'X-Factor' in 2024
By Joe Summers
One of the biggest obstacles the Kansas Jayhawks need to overcome in the 2024 season is the departure of several key offensive linemen, including third-round NFL Draft pick Dominick Puni.
Incoming transfer center Bryce Foster from Texas A&M, a former Freshman All-American and one of the nation's top lineman recruits out of high school, is expected to replace departed center Mike Novitsky, stabilizing the interior of the line.
Foster is obviously an important new face on the team, so much so that college football insider Max Olson of The Athletic called Foster the Jayhawks' 'X-Factor' for the highly-anticipated upcoming campaign.
Transfer Kansas C Bryce Foster Named 'X-Factor' in 2024
Texas A&M transfer Bryce Foster has committed to KU! He is a 6’5” 330 lbs offensive lineman who was ranked as a 4 star recruit coming out of high school & was a starter in 28 games during his time at Texas A&M. pic.twitter.com/wxx0I1M3Dc
— Kansas Jayhawk Fans (@FansOfKU) June 15, 2024
"The post-spring addition of Texas A&M transfer center Bryce Foster could end up being really important for the Jayhawks," writes Olson. "Mike Novitsky was an invaluable three-year starter and leader at that position for Lance Leipold and is tough to replace.
If Foster, a 28-game starter and former Freshman All-American at A&M, can come in and solidify that spot, it would allow Kansas to keep Michael Ford Jr. at guard and ideally put its best starting five on the field."
Put simply, Foster's addition theoretically allows the Jayhawks' linemen to stay at their natural respective positions. After having one of the country's best offensive lines last season, it's critical for Kansas to avoid a huge decline there given the plethora of quality skill-position players returning to the program.
The offensive line performance carries greater importance given the uncertainty around Jalon Daniels' health. If the line struggles and Daniels gets hit frequently, his chance of reinjury naturally increases.
At 6'5", 330 LBs, Foster is nicknamed "The Mountain" and was named to both the Freshman All-SEC and Freshman All-American teams in 2021. Injuries derailed his sophomore campaign but returned for eight games in 2023 and still looked the part.
With two years of college eligibility left, Foster could hold down the starting center gig for the next couple of seasons. He's quickly become one of the most important Jayhawks on the roster and Kansas' ultimate ceiling could depend on his overall effectiveness.
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