LAWRENCE — Dominick Puni has set himself up to be one of the latest Kansas football standouts to be picked up in the NFL draft, which will start later this month.

Puni, an offensive lineman this past season, joined the Jayhawks as a transfer from Central Missouri ahead of the 2022 season. Despite having to make the jump from Division II to Division I, he became a regular starter that year and was one again in 2023. Considering he carries starting experience at guard and tackle, and has the versatility to even make a move to center, he’s in line to be a sought-after prospect when the draft kicks off.

With Puni on the roster, Kansas made back-to-back bowl games in 2022 and 2023. Albeit still early in the coach Lance Leipold’s rebuild, the Jayhawks have ensured their program is seen in a very different light and Puni is a key reason why. If a team is waiting for him after the third round, it’s unclear if he’ll still be available at that point.

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Here are some projections on where Puni might be picked in this year’s NFL draft:

The Athletic: 3rd round

This projection sees Puni, described as an offensive tackle/guard, drafted in the third round. He’d be the 71st overall pick. He’d go to the Arizona Cardinals, by way of the Tennessee Titans.

Sporting News: 3rd round

This projection sees Puni, described as a guard, selected in the third round. He’d be the 78th overall pick. He’d go to the Washington Commanders, by way of the Seattle Seahawks.

Bleacher Report: 3rd round

This projection sees Puni, described as an interior offensive lineman, picked up in the third round. He’d be the 73rd overall pick. He’d go to the Detroit Lions, by way of the Minnesota Vikings.

ESPN: 3rd round

This projection sees Puni, described as a guard/offensive tackle, land in the third round. He’d be the 82nd overall pick. He’d go to the Indianapolis Colts.

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: Where will Kansas football’s Dominick Puni go in the 2024 NFL draft?