Kansas football spring ball: Marvin Grant, more step up with Kenny Logan Jr. pursuing NFL

LAWRENCE — Kansas football’s safeties room looks a lot different this year, in large part because of the departure of Kenny Logan Jr.

Logan, who spent his entire college career with the Jayhawks, embarked on his professional career following the 2023 season. After helping the team to back-to-back bowl games the past two seasons, he earned an opportunity with the Los Angeles Rams in the NFL as an un-drafted free agent. With him goes one of KU’s regular starters, and one of its most prolific tacklers.

So, now it’s up to returners like redshirt senior Marvin Grant and senior O.J. Burroughs to step up. There are also brothers to keep on eye on here, in redshirt juniors Jalen and Devin Dye. It’s a position group to keep an eye on, because those four aren’t alone.

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Here are five things to know about the safeties position after spring ball ended in April:

Marvin Grant’s versatility will be on display

Kansas head coach Lance Leipold told reporters during spring ball he’d told Grant how excited he was about where Grant is mentally and physically, and added how Grant played toward the end of last season was some of the best he’s seen since Grant arrived. Grant, who transferred in from Purdue ahead of the 2022 season, has shown an understanding that he needs to step up with Logan moving on. But Grant is also proving he can be more than just a leader and veteran talent.

Leipold said they’ll use Grant in some different spots. Defensive coordinator Brian Borland explained they’ve cross-trained Grant, as well as others, to fill the role former Jayhawks linebacker Craig Young had at times last season. Borland mentioned Grant is fast, long and physical, and Grant explained he feels natural in a role he’s played before during his football career.

O.J. Burroughs aims to be more of a leader

Burroughs was right up there with Grant in terms of production last year, but isn’t just focused on that this year. He said he wants to be a leader on the defensive side of the ball, and be dependable. He wants to make sure the younger guys play confident, fast and without hesitation.

Devin Dye is a newcomer to know

Devin has past stops during his career at Palomar College and Utah State, and now he’s at Kansas. Devin transferred in during the offseason to join Jalen, who transferred in ahead of the 2022 season. And Devin, who brings in a lot of experience, has proven to be a valuable addition.

Devin said he chose Kansas because of how much the coaches showed they wanted him, and the culture that had been created. Also, when he visited, Borland went over film with him to outline ways his game could improve. That included tackling and coverage.

Devin and Jalen Dye are pushing each other to succeed

Whether there’s a sibling rivalry of sorts between Devin and Jalen was a common question posed to the safeties, but regardless of the nature of the competition that competition is there. Devin and Jalen both talked about how they challenge each other each day. They enjoy having each other around.

At one point Borland alluded to being a little worried if there might be some jealousy between them, but when he spoke he hadn’t seen any of that. He thinks they understand that it might not be a perfect world where they’re playing alongside each other, because they could be competing for the same spot. Devin appreciates being able to go to Jalen with questions about the playbook.

Burroughs described the competition between the them as fun to watch. Although Burroughs noted neither talks much, and Leipold does want them to communicate more on the field, Burroughs added you just have to talk to them to see how smart they are. Leipold mentioned they’ll need those two on special teams.

Don’t forget about Mason Ellis

Burroughs said redshirt sophomore Mason Ellis is being slept on, so don’t forget about him as the season draws closer. Burroughs described Ellis as athletic and fast. At one point during spring ball Matt Gildersleeve, the team’s director of sports performance, highlighted Ellis as the team’s fastest individual.

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 spring ball: Analyzing Jayhawks' safeties position