Kansas football made a surprise late-night move on Friday, securing a former Division II player in whom its interest had flown under the radar.
DeAndre Harper, a transfer from Northwest Missouri State who played in nine games as a freshman, announced his commitment to KU.
A 6-foot-6, 305-pound offensive lineman who attended Omaha North High School in Nebraska, where he was a second-team all-state selection, Harper had primarily announced offers from FCS and Group of Five schools on social media prior to Friday. Harper entered the portal officially on Dec. 7 following a coaching change at Northwest Missouri State, and the most recent offers he had posted included Louisiana Tech, San Diego State and Wyoming on Monday.
In Harper, KU adds another intriguing young body to what was one of the best units on its roster in 2024 under first-year position coach Daryl Agpalsa.
“Coach A recruited me out of high school so our connection that we had already formed in high school was easy to rekindle on the visit,” Harper told Jon Kirby of JayhawkSlant.com. “He also is a great coach and knows how to get guys to the next level.”
The Jayhawks will be reloading, particularly at tackle after losing one starter to graduation in Bryce Cabeldue and one to the NFL Draft in Logan Brown, plus a reserve, Dre Doiron, to the professional ranks. Calvin Clements and Nolan Gorczyca figure to take on greater roles in 2025.
At guard, KU returns starter Kobe Baynes, but Michael Ford Jr. exhausted his eligibility. One member of KU’s 2024 recruiting class, Harrison Utley, recently entered the transfer portal, but the Jayhawks retain many young pieces in the position group.
Harper is the first transfer commitment for KU on the offensive line, among many players the Jayhawks have targeted in recent days, and the second on offense overall after former Iowa running back Leshon Williams. KU may not be done recruiting former Northwest Missouri State standouts, as it has also been in on the Bearcats’ former defensive end Langden Kitchen.
