LAWRENCE (KSNT) – Every offseason presents an opportunity for athletes to make themselves visible.
That's the case for two of KU football's redshirt juniors, Dean Miller and Dylan Brooks. Both defensive ends are preparing for their second year in the program, with Miller transferring from College of the Canyons and Brooks from Auburn.
Miller and Brooks are looking to fill the void in the college pass rush left by big names like Austin Booker, who declared for the NFL Draft and won last year's Big 12 Defensive Rookie of the Year.
“Given where we are right now, Dean Miller and Dylan Brooks are two guys we're really counting on,” Leipold said. “They give us a lot of length and what we're looking for. It's going to be important for them to take that next step.”
Defensive end/special teams coordinator Taiwo Onatoru has also noticed that both Jayhawks have gotten better this spring, even off the field.
“He was very athletic, ran, played with motors, was a very physical guy, but he only weighed 200 pounds,” Onatl said of Miller. “He's now in his second year in the program and has put on quite a bit of weight. He was about 227 years old. [pounds] This morning he is eating and getting everything together. And he's going to be a guy that can really help us. ”
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Onator said the goal for a player like Miller to be explosive is to land closer to 240 pounds. Miller added that he has been working on a nutritional plan with strength and conditioning coach Matt Gildersleeve and that he is eating plenty of food throughout the day.
On the field, Miller said he tries to make the most of every opportunity he gets, regardless of time or location.
“I've worked closely with Dylan Brooks,” Miller said. “It was really good playing opposite him, just feeding off each other and making sure we were on the same page making plays.”
Miller appeared in all 13 games for KU in 2023 and made three solo tackles. Brooks appeared in four games at Kansas in 2023, including a bowl game win against UNLV.
“Dylan started our bowl game. That was his first start. He did a good job, showed some flashes and I think he gained some confidence,” Onatl said of Brooks. Ta. “He came to fall camp last summer, everything was new to him, the season was new to him, and now the strategy is really starting to come together. He's an athlete, he's athletic, he's nervous. A child.”
KU will conclude its spring season with the Spring Showcase at Rock Chalk Park on April 12 at 7 p.m.
