Kansas football’s defense is undergoing a decisive makeover as the 2026 season approaches, with coordinator D.K. McDonald zeroing in on five emerging playmakers.
A New Defensive Identity
McDonald, who took over the defensive reins last year, has identified Trey Lathan, Leroy Harris III, Jalen Todd, Taylor Davis and Blake Herold as the core pieces that could finally stabilize a unit that has swung between brilliance and inconsistency.
Lathan, a redshirt senior linebacker, led the Jayhawks in tackles last season, while Harris III, a junior defensive end, topped the team with sacks in 2025. Todd, a junior cornerback, ranked fifth in tackles, and Davis, a redshirt junior safety, started every game in the secondary. Herold, a redshirt junior defensive tackle, finished sixth in tackles and will look to add interior pressure.
The push comes as Kansas aims to break a bowl‑game drought that has lingered since the 2023 campaign, a milestone that would underscore the impact of a revamped defensive scheme.
Adding to the narrative, the Jayhawks are slated to appear at the Big 12 Conference media days on July 8 in Frisco, Texas, where McDonald is expected to field questions about the upcoming overhaul.
Coaches and analysts alike note that the secondary will feature several new faces, but the continuity at linebacker and the pass rush could provide the stability needed to climb the conference rankings.
If the five players can sustain their upward trajectory, the Jayhawks may finally translate early‑season promise into a postseason berth that has eluded them for years.