Two Kansas Freshman Surprisingly Earn Crucial Spots on First Depth Chart
By Joe Summers
The Kansas Jayhawks are set to begin the 2024 college football season with the largest expectations the program has had in more than a decade.
Lance Leipold has ushered in a new era of Kansas football and that new influx of talent is perfectly represented by a pair of freshmen who surprisingly find themselves playing pivotal roles on the team's first depth chart ahead of Thursday night's season-opening showdown with Lindenwood.
DE DJ Warner and CB Jalen Todd are both listed on the team's initial two-deep depth chart, a signal that they'll both play plenty early in their first years.
Two Kansas Freshmen Defenders Expected to Play Big Roles
Both Leipold & DC Brian Borland said the passion for the game, work ethic & talent led to true freshmen DJ Warner (D-End) & Jalen Todd (CB) landing on the initial 2-deep depth chart. #KUfball
— Matt Tait (@mctait) August 26, 2024
"They've earned it," Borland said. "Nobody's given them anything."
Both Leipold and defensive coordinator Brian Borland sang each player's respective praises. Borland noted they "earned it" and weren't handed anything.
Warner is a six-foot-three, 230-pound defensive lineman from Arizona. He's a four-star prospect rated in the top 150 nationally. Meanwhile, Todd is a fellow four-star recruit though he hails from Michigan. He was the No. 10 prospect in Michigan and a star track athlete on top of his football prowess.
Leipold said DJ Warner and Jalen Todd, two true FR on the two-deep, have practiced well and worked hard. Said both have put themselves in a position to contribute and play.
— Kevin Flaherty (@KFlahertyKCSN) August 26, 2024
Kansas' offense expects to once again be among the best in the country. Jalon Daniels is seemingly healthy and the core skill-position players all came back for another season. The question for the Jayhawks comes on the defensive side of the ball.
If young players like Warner and Todd can make a major impact and the defense improves, Kansas will have every chance to win the Big 12 and make the expanded College Football Playoff.
This should be a special year for Jayhawks fans. Warner and Todd could be key reasons why.
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