KU football boasts depth on defensive line heading into 2024

LAWRENCE (KSNT) - Kansas football has security on its defensive line heading into the 2024 season.

Defensive tackles coach Jim Panagos said Saturday he's excited about KU's current group of defensive tackles. It's a room that returns a handful of veterans like DJ Withers, Tommy Dunn Jr. and Caleb Taylor, who all saw quite a bit of playing time in 2023.

Panagos has been impressed with his redshirt freshmen Blake Herold and Marcus Calvin as well.

"I like where those two guys are going," Panagos said of the freshmen. "We're not even close to where we need to them to be, but they're getting better and better and they're flashing plays. The older guys are looking at me and I'm like 'Yeah, they're coming.' Which is good because now they have to raise their game."

He says players like Withers, Dunn and Taylor have stood out during camp, embracing their veteran roles with an air of confidence.

However, Coach is excited to have competition at the position, welcoming an environment where a lot of players are competing for starting jobs.

"Any competition in the room is always going to push you," Withers said. "Anybody, because we're all making plays. So every day we've got to be out there like, 'Okay they're on our heels, we've got to go.'"

"I love to see the young guys flourishing, they work so hard," Taylor said. "We try to get them to do a lot, but it's so easy to head them when they want to be led."

Coach Panagos told his group at Saturday's practice to not compare themselves to one another. With unexpected injuries and the liabilities that come with a full football season, he knows having depth is going to come in handy, saying, "We need everybody in this room."

KU football opens the 2024 season against Lindenwood on Aug. 29 at Children's Mercy Park.