Kansas Jayhawks 2021 College Football Recruiting Class Overview
Written by Charlie Beuttel
Twitter: @charlie_cds3
It was a disappointing second season under head coach Les Miles after a promising 3-7 record in 2019 as the Jayhawks went 0-9 in the Covid-19 stricken 2020 season. Kansas was hampered with opt-outs, injuries, and inexperience. However, the 2021 recruiting class has given fans some glimmer of hope.
After the early signing period, the Jayhawks have locked in 20 letters of intent from 11 offensive and nine defensive players including local prospects and the top-rated player in the state of Kansas, Lawrence High School star running back Devin Neal. Another solid commitment the Jayhawks have received is from offensive lineman Colin Grunhard, who played high school football in Kansas City at Bishop Miege then spent three seasons at Notre Dame. The immediate transfer of Grunhard fills a huge need for Kansas as the experienced lineman has two seasons of eligibility remaining.
To go along with the 20 signed players, the Jayhawks have locked in some commitments from several other high-profile recruits including their highest rated prospect, four-star wide receiver Quaydarius Davis from Skyline High School in Dallas. Davis is rated as the 17th best wide receiver in the country.
Two other commitments that Kansas fans should be excited about are from defensive end Garfield Lawrence from Tyler Legacy in Tyler (TX) and Raymore-Peculiar quarterback Conrad Hawley, a Kansas City metro prospect. Hawley led his squad to a Missouri Class 6 state title. These three-star prospects will be among the flock of players who will sign with Kansas in February. It will be exciting to watch who else will join this upstart program in Lawrence.
Kansas’ 2021 recruiting class is ranked sixth overall in the Big 12, 45th nationally, with 24 commitments.
Kansas’ Class of 2021 Early Signees
RB Devin Neal, 5-11, 208, Lawrence High School-Lawrence, KS
S Edwin White, 6-0, 196, UMS-Wright Preparatory School-Mobile, AL
S Omar Burroughs Jr, 5-10, 167, IMG Academy, Bradenton, FL
DE D’Marion Alexander, 6-5, 215, China Spring HS-China Spring, TX
DE Deldrick Withers, 6-4, 245, Joe T. Robinson-Little Rock, AR
LB Andrew Simpson, 6-1, 220, St. John Bosco-Bellflower, CA
OT De’Kedrick Sterns, 6-4, 272, Del Valle HS- Del Valle, TX
WR Majik Rector, 5-9, 155, Lancaster HS-Lancaster, TX
WR Kelan Robinson, 6-2, 185, South Grand Prairie HS-Grand Prairie, TX
S Jayson Gilliom, 6-2, 190, North Gwinnett HS-Suwanee, GA
ATH Cam’Ron Dabney, 5-11, 175, Riverside Military Academy-Gainesville, GA
LB Trey Staley, 6-2, 200, Brookwood HS-Snellville, GA
CB DeVonte Wilson, 6-3, 190, Robert F Munroe Day School-Quincy, FL
TE Mason Brotherton, 6-5, 245, Mena HS-Mena, AR
DE Tommy Dun, 6-3, 255, Naaman Forst HS-Garland, TX
ATH James Wright, 6-1, 195, Lakewood HS-Sumter, SC
WR Tanaka Scott, 6-4, 190, Murphy HS-Mobile, AL
QB Ben Easters, 6-3, 195, Brownsburg HS-Brownsburg, IN
OT Larson Workman, 6-5, 265, Ganado HS-Ganado, TX
OT Corey Robinson II, 6-5, 270, Roswell HS-Roswell, GA
Photo credit: The Kansas City Star; Kansas Head Coach Les Miles