5 Kansas players to watch against Iowa State football (Nov. 9, 2024)

AMES — “We’ll see.”

Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell uttered those words in the wake of his team’s first loss of the season last Saturday — a mistake-laden, 23-22, setback to Texas Tech at home.

Campbell was referring to his team’s upcoming response to falling from the ranks of the unbeaten and that he expects his senior leaders to help light the path forward as the Cyclones remain very much alive in the Big 12 title race.

“We’re kind of defined by how we respond to adversity, and I think that’s pretty much life in general,” Campbell said. “So this will be a great opportunity for this group to continue to grow.”

ISU (7-1, 4-1) is a three-point favorite against the Jayhawks (2-6, 1-4), and its fans could make Saturday’s 2:30 p.m. (FS1) matchup at Arrowhead Stadium almost feel like a home game.

Expect another tense game, regardless — and here are five Kansas players to know as the countdown to kickoff continues:

QB Jalon Daniels

The 6-foot, 220-pound junior from Lawndale, Calif., has thrown six touchdown passes to just one interception in his past three games, but struggled mightily before that.

The often-injured, but still dynamic dual-threat quarterback also has rushed for a touchdown in three consecutive games, and is coming off his best rushing performance (66 yards) of the season in the Jayhawks’ 29-27 loss to Kansas State two weeks ago.

Daniels compiled an impressive 23 touchdown-to-five interception ratio in 2022 and 2023, but has thrown just 11 touchdown passes to nine interceptions in this topsy-turvy season. He’s racked up 60 touchdowns (42 passing, 18 rushing) throughout his career and, when healthy, can put up gaudy numbers against anyone.

CB Mello Dotson (and Cobee Bryant)

Dotson — one of the Big 12’s best cornerbacks — has made 36 consecutive starts, and is one of three Jayhawk defenders who have played 49 career games with the school.

The 6-1, 190-pound fifth-year senior from Daytona Beach, Fla., has turned three of his seven interceptions over the last two seasons into touchdowns, and also has forced and recovered a fumble this season. Dotson leads the defense with five passes defended, ranks second in interceptions with three, and is third in total tackles with 34.

Fellow senior cornerback, Cobee Bryant, leads the Jayhawks with four interceptions, and he’s forced a fumble this season, as well.

RB Devin Neal

The 5-11, 215-pound senior from Lawrence, has been setting and chasing records all season and sits 7 yards away form breaking the program’s all-time mark of rushing yards of 3,841.

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Neal already broke Kansas’ record for total touchdowns by a non-quarterback (44), and his next touchdown run would give him the school record for rushing touchdowns with 42.

Neal also ranks second all-time in career 100-yard rushing games with 17. Neal’s rushed for at least one touchdown in six of the Jayhawks’ eight games this season, and his backup, Daniel Hishaw Jr., is averaging a team-best 6.4 yards per carry.

WR Luke Grimm

Grimm leads Kansas in receptions (38), receiving yards (429) and touchdown catches (five).

The 6-0, 190-pound senior from suburban Kansas City also has rushed for 133 yards on seven carries, so the guy they call “the Grimm Reaper” makes big plays in a variety of ways.

He ranks second all-time with 22 career touchdown receptions and also is among the top seven receivers in Jayhawks history in yards through the air (2,211) and receptions (144). According to Pro Football Focus, Grimm leads the nation in most targets without a drop this season with 55.

DL Jereme Robinson

The 6-3, 255-pound senior from Montgomery, Ala., leads a strong Kansas front seven with 4.5 sacks, which matches his total from last season.

The Jayhawks rank third in the Big 12 in sacks with 18 and Robinson, along with fellow edge rusher Dean Miller (3.5 sacks), is a big reason why. Robinson also leads his team in forced fumbles with two, and is one of four Kansas defenders to have recovered a fumble this season.

Comments: robgray18@icloud.com