LAWRENCE — Kansas football’s defense has come a long way over the past few seasons.

After struggling during head coach Lance Leipold’s first season at the helm in 2021, the Jayhawks’ defense helped the team to a bowl game in 2022. This past season, in 2023, it helped the team do so again on the way to the program’s first bowl victory in more than a decade. It has the potential to help the team do so again in 2024.

But, in order to get there, certain players on Kansas’ defense are going to have to step up. Some are well known, and some are looking to enjoy breakout campaigns. Ahead of Big 12 Conference media days July 9-10 in Las Vegas, keep an eye on five Jayhawks.

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Here are those five:

Cobee Bryant, cornerback

Cobee Bryant, a senior, is one of the Kansas players to watch out for when it comes to the 2025 NFL draft. He’s one part of what could be one of the best cornerback duos in the Big 12 this season. Last season he tied for the team lead in interceptions, continuing to showcase he can be relied upon to make big plays.

Dean Miller, defensive end

With the departure of Austin Booker, a 2024 NFL draft selection by the Chicago Bears, redshirt junior defensive end Dean Miller is going to need to be relied upon more than ever before at Kansas. Although Miller hasn’t produced much yet during his time with the Jayhawks, the potential for him to be a key contributor has always been there. He doesn’t need to break out to the point he’s one of the best pass rushers in the Big 12, senior defensive end Jereme Robinson is back as well, but the team does need Miller if it’s going to have a reliable pass rush.

Cornell Wheeler, linebacker

Rich Miller’s college career wrapped up last year, and now redshirt senior linebacker Cornell Wheeler is stepping into a more prominent role within defensive coordinator Brian Borland’s defense. Wheeler’s made plays for Kansas before, including an interception this past season, but Miller’s someone who finished second on the Jayhawks in tackles in 2023. Wheeler has to produce, and lead.

Mello Dotson, cornerback

Mello Dotson, a senior, is the other part of Kansas’ formidable cornerback duo and another player to think about when it comes to the 2025 NFL draft. He tied with Dotson to lead the Jayhawks in interceptions last season. Dotson actually lead the team in pass breakups, too.

Marvin Grant, safety

Marvin Grant, a redshirt senior, is now at the top of a group of safeties that will be looking to make up for the departure of Kenny Logan Jr. — whose college career ended in 2023, too. Logan was Kansas’ leader in tackles last year, and has been one of the faces of the Jayhawks’ rebuild. It’s not as if Grant has to lead the team in tackles, and he’s already shown to be one of the top players for Kansas in that area, but he does need to produce and lead more just like Wheeler.

Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He is the National Sports Media Association’s sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas for 2022. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas football’s defense will rely on these 5 players in 2024