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KUs defense proved to be less than stellar at times last year. The Jayhawks were the worst defense in the Big 12 and allowed conference-high 35.5 points per game. However, positive aspects of the defensive unit began to emerge as the season went along. Led by first-team All-Big 12 selection Cobee Bryant, the cornerback room began to improve gradually in their first season with Jordan Peterson under Lance Leipold.

Now, with the rooms core remaining intact and additions to help build depth, the cornerbacks are looking to make an even larger impact in 2023.

Along with Bryant, KU returns experienced players such as Mello Dotson and Kalon Gervin on the outside. Along with those three, the Jayhawks went out and added former LSU cornerback Damarius McGhee through the transfer portal to add to an already deep position group.

This might be the deepest group that I've ever had, defensive backs coach Jordan Peterson said. I've very rarely had two and a half deep that you felt like, you think you wouldn't be panicking with a guy going out on the field. From that standpoint, it kind of gives you a little bit of a comfort level as a coach.

With the added depth, the cornerbacks and defense as a whole have been locked in on increasing the physical presence in practice during the spring period.

Gervin said that he has seen more snap and tenacity from the cornerbacks and the defense. He also mentioned that the team during this spring practice has been completely different compared to last year in terms of that physicality and on-the-field presence.

Flying around more, better pursuit, better leverage, being able to tackle good, being more physical at the point of attack, Gervin said. Its all the fundamental stuff, but doing it violently. Just taking that to another level. That's what we're really focusing on this spring.

Peterson reiterated that fact and said the greater physicality and intensity in practice have been preached throughout the defense.

You're not going to play for us defensively if you're not physical at the point of attack, Peterson said. You're hearing a lot more pop at the junction point. I'm going to punch him, Im going to have my hands inside, thumbs up, elbows nice and tight and you're going to hear me deliver a blow to get a blocker off my face. That has been a huge emphasis for us across the board.

Along with the primary three returners from last year in Bryant, Dotson and Gervin, McGhee brings yet another presence into the group.

A four-star recruit out of Flordia, McGhee struggled to find consistency at LSU. He played in 12 of the Tigers games as a freshman which included a start in the Texas Bowl against K-State where he recorded five tackles. But his sophomore year saw him only appear in one game under a new coaching staff before he entered the transfer portal.

McGhee said he was not certain whether KU would end up being the right place for him, but he appreciated the opportunity he would receive and the work he would have to put in to make the most of it. He also said that Kenny Logan was instrumental in helping him make his decision to come to Lawrence.

I just wanted to go somewhere where I could show my talent, show everybody what Im about, McGhee said. Just come straightforward, not sugarcoat nothing. They just told me straightforward Ive got to come in and work.

Bryant spoke positively of McGhees short time in the program already and mentioned how his comfortability over the spring is helping lead him to be the best possible player he can be.

[Hes showing] that dog, Bryant said. Hes kind of coming out of his shell, hes starting to get used to what we do at Kansas. Hes starting to feel comfortable getting coached. Im coaching him like dont be scared to make plays, dont be scared to mess up because its going to happen, we play [defensive back]. Im excited about what hes going to do, hes going to be good.

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The deepest group Ive ever had: Cornerback room rich with returning experience and new faces - 247Sports