The increased confidence of Kansas’ defense has been a significant talking point early this season as, through four games, the Jayhawks rank among the top defenses in the country in yards allowed.
“Their communication across the board, getting everyone on the same page and then being able to grow within this defense and some of those things, I think are all (contributing) factors,” head coach Lance Leipold said.
There may be no player contributing more to the KU defense right now than defensive end Leroy Harris III. The junior has just one sack to his name this year, but he’s also made seven tackles for loss, blocked a field goal and forced fumbles in three straight weeks. It all amounts to the highest Pro Football Focus grade for any power-conference defensive end.
“I don’t know if there’s many more things Leroy does that really surprises me,” Leipold said, “because he has such a high ceiling and he continues to do things, but every week there seems to be a little bit more. And I hadn’t realized he had (forced fumbles) in three straight games, but (I’d) sure like it to be at least three more straight if we can.”
For Harris, taking the ball away — which has not always been easy for KU across the board in recent years — comes down to “just awareness and then being able to execute in the moment when you see it, taking advantage of the moment and getting the ball out for it.”
Of course, to do that he has to get to the ball carrier in the first place. Harris was asked about his mentality against the run.
“They can’t block me, I just feel like that’s where we’re at right now,” he said. “But I’d love to see someone try to prove me wrong.”
In fact, the degree of difficulty is set to increase for Harris and his teammates as they head out to Salt Lake City to face No. 12 Utah on Saturday night, with kickoff set for 9:25 p.m. Central time. It’s not last year’s group of Utes on the offensive line, which sent both of its tackles to the first round of the NFL Draft and in total lost all five starters, but it’s still a high-level unit playing as part of what defensive coordinator D.K. McDonald called the most creative offense he’s seen. Any hope of an upset will undoubtedly rely heavily on the disruptiveness of Harris and his teammates.
“We’re just excited to get an opportunity to get a chance to win as we head into Big 12 play,” he said, “and then make sure we show our dominance against the rest of the teams.”
In McDonald’s second year as the coordinator, and with more comfortable returning players and an influx of transfer talent, KU truly has been dominant at times, even in its loss to Arizona State in London. Harris said middle linebacker Trey Lathan has been the one setting the standard: “We get the play call from him,” he said. “He got the green dot. So it kind of starts with him and then everybody else kind of spreads it in their position rooms.”
If that’s the case, then to hear McDonald tell it, Harris spreads it as well as anyone.
“In a game situation when things get tough, the main (voices) that I hear are some guys, but the biggest voice I hear is Leroy,” McDonald said. “Leroy steps up in the huddle, he talks to guys, he encourages guys. He’s challenging guys. Even out in practice today, he’s the voice I heard getting guys going.
“That’s probably the most exciting thing about Leroy, is the leadership part. The physical part is fun to see, and how he plays physically, but the leadership part is just awesome to see from a young man. I’m so happy about that for him.”
Harris said he’s made an intentional effort to progress in that realm: “That’s something I wanted to do, and they kind of held me to that standard and I’ve been doing it ever since.”
“Especially with a lot of transfers and young guys, setting the standard for how we do things around here, setting the tone for how we come out for practice,” Harris added. “You got to set the tone for the day, and then it kind of follows down with everybody else.”
The former Chattanooga transfer has certainly done that with his play and his voice. It is worth noting just how much the rest of the defensive line has chipped in, though.
Michigan State transfer David Santiago ranks just three spots below Harris on PFF: “He’s been doing extraordinary,” Harris said. “That’s why we’ve had so much defensive success.” And with younger and less experienced defensive tackles coming along at the back end of that rotation, KU is starting to cultivate depth beyond the likes of Blake Herold, Marcus Calvin and Eamon Smalls.
“The way the season is and us going through this next stretch that we’re going through,” McDonald said, “we’re going to need everybody.”
Kansas defensive end Leroy Harris III brings down Middle Tennessee’s Terrence Brown Jr. during the Jayhawks’ game on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, at David Booth Memorial Stadium in Lawrence.
Kansas defensive end Leroy Harris III makes a tackle on Middle Tennessee’s Cam’ron Lacy during the Jayhawks’ game on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, at David Booth Memorial Stadium in Lawrence.
Kansas defensive end Leroy Harris III pressures Middle Tennessee’s Roman Gagliano during the Jayhawks’ game on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, at David Booth Memorial Stadium in Lawrence.
Kansas defensive end Leroy Harris III (33) looks down the sideline during the fourth quarter on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026 at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. Photo by Nick Krug
Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World
Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World
Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World
