The writing was on the wall when he opted out of the Guaranteed Rate Bowl, but Kansas defensive end Austin Booker made his departure official Thursday when he announced on Instagram that he will enter the 2024 NFL Draft.
In his post, he thanked head coach Lance Leipold, defensive tackles coach Jim Panagos and the rest of his support system at KU — “it felt like family and I will be forever grateful for the platform to show my skills,” Booker wrote.
After barely playing in two years at Minnesota, the 6-foot-6, 245-pound defensive end burst onto the scene when he transferred to Kansas for his one and only season with the Jayhawks in 2023. Panagos, who had previously worked at Minnesota, helped bring him and tackle Gage Keys to Lawrence (Keys has since transferred to Auburn).
In 12 games with the Jayhawks, including just one start, Booker tallied 56 tackles and eight sacks, as well as a pair of forced fumbles. The redshirt sophomore was named the Big 12 Conference’s defensive newcomer of the year and a first-team all-league selection.
Booker, who played 482 defensive snaps on the year, was Pro Football Focus’ highest-graded edge rusher in the Big 12 with a score of 82.9, which gave him a sizable advantage over his next closest competition, Anthony Goodlow of Oklahoma State (76.7).
Along with left tackle Dominick Puni, a redshirt senior who is also preparing for the draft, Booker did not travel with the team to Phoenix for the bowl game, though it wasn’t clear at the time whether Booker intended to declare for the draft or transfer to another school.
He now concludes his collegiate career following one memorable season at KU and will turn his attention to professional prospects.
Mike Gunnoe/Special to the Journal-World
