Kansas University’s already-thin defensive line might have just become a little thinner.
Dijon Dillon, a red-shirt freshman defensive lineman from Free State High, is believed to have left the KU football program.
Wednesday was check-in day for the Kansas veterans, and Dillon wasn’t among those checking in.
KU coach Terry Allen declined to discuss the matter until today’s media day hoping that Dillon would have a change of heart.
Dillon, a 6-foot-5, 300-pounder, was unavailable for comment, but he has been removed from the university’s latest roster.
“You’ll have to talk to him about that,” Dillon’s mother, Ladoris, said Wednesday night. “I really don’t know. You’ll have to talk to him.”
News of Dillon’s apparent departure from the team quickly spread to his alma mater.
“I heard he might be chucking it in,” FSHS coach Bob Lisher said. “But I haven’t talked to the young man. I talked to him over the summer, and he was excited about the season. But I heard it today from some of the guys at Red Dog’s Dog Days. That’s the first I heard of it.”
“I saw him in the gym this summer,” echoed FSHS basketball coach Jack Schreiner. “He said his knees were fine. He looked like he lost weight and he was looking forward to the season. I was surprised to hear that, but I have not talked to him.”
Dillon was hampered with minor injuries throughout his red-shirt season. He was an all-state pick as a senior at Free State after collecting 102 total tackles, including 45 unassisted stops. He also played tight end.
Nate Dwyer is the only player returning to the defensive line with NCAA Div. I experience. The Jayhawks lost promising red-shirt freshman Lance Carson, who was contending for a starting spot, to academics over the summer. He has since enrolled at Garden City Community College.
Ch-ch-ch-changes: There already has been a change to the list of preferred walk-ons reported last week. Derek Vann, a 6-1, 180-pound defensive back/wide receiver from Kansas City by way of Hutchinson Community College, has replaced Brett Bailey, a QB-running back-defensive back from Scott City.
Upcoming: The Jayhawks will attend media day today, then hold their first full-squad, noncontact practice Friday.
