5 Kansas players to watch against Iowa State

AMES — Kansas football has been stuck in a downward spiral ever since Mark Mangino was fired in the late 2000s.

Interestingly, even in the face of zero, one or two-win seasons, the Jayhawks always seem to have a few good players that stand out.

Here are five to keep an eye on Saturday night when Kansas visits Iowa State and Jack Trice Stadium.

S/KR Kenny Logan Jr.

Logan was an honorable mention All-Big 12 returner in 2020. Cyclone fans may remember this name — he returned a kick 100 yards for a touchdown last season against Iowa State.

Logan has returned eight kicks for 231 yards this season, for an average of 28.9 yards per return.

The junior also is the Jayhawks’ best player on defense. The safety leads the team in tackles with 37. He also has four pass breakups and two forced fumbles — both of which also lead the team.

QB Jason Bean

Good quarterbacks on bad teams tend to do everything. Or at least try.

That’s where Bean, a North Texas transfer, finds himself.

The junior leads the Jayhawks in passing, which makes sense, but he also leads Kansas in rushing.

Bean has completed 56 of his 99 passes for 732 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions. He’s also rushed 47 times for 320 yards and two touchdowns, not accounting for sacks. With sacks, he’s “rushed” 55 times for 270 yards.

Kansas’ second leading rusher is Devin Neal, who has 183 yards.

DE/LB Kyron Johnson

Johnson is listed as an undersized defensive end on Kansas’ roster.

The senior is just 6-foot-1 and 235 pounds, which is tiny for an FBS defensive end. He played linebacker last season and was an honorable mention All-Big 12 member.

Even in his new role, Johnson is putting up impressive numbers.

Kansas has sacked the quarterback just two times this season. Johnson has 1.5 of those. He also leads the team in tackles for loss with 2.5 and has recorded 24 tackles and a forced fumble.

WR Trevor Wilson

Wilson is one of two productive receivers for the Jayhawks — the other being Kwamie Lassiter, who, spoiler alert, will be highlighted next.

Wilson leads the Jayhawks with 216 yards receiving and a touchdown on 12 catches.

Kansas has also gotten him involved in the run game with a 14-yard rush.

WR/PR Kwamie Lassiter

Lassiter has the most receptions for Kansas with 15 and has converted those 15 receptions into 210 yards and a touchdown.

In the return game, Lassiter has returned three punts for 25 yards.

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