at Arizona State Saturday October 14, 2028
The McAlary Effect
The McAlary Effect
at Arizona State Saturday October 14, 2028
The McAlary Effect
Kansas Lands Two Defensive Standouts, Misses on Rossi as 2029 Class Climbs to No. 18
Kansas continues to build a strong foundation for its 2029 recruiting class with the additions of two talented defenders: Rodney Lipscomb, a physical safety from New Orleans, and Niles Mangum, a versatile athlete out of Houston. With these two additions, the Jayhawks now hold six commitments in a class currently ranked 18th nationally.
Rodney Lipscomb – SS – 4★ – New Orleans, LA (Isidore Newman High School)
Lipscomb is a 6’1”, 208-pound tone-setter in the secondary who thrives on physicality and downhill play. He’s one of the hardest hitters in the class and isn’t afraid to come up and stop the run. His instincts and reaction time also make him reliable in coverage, particularly in zone schemes.
Strengths:
Strong tackler and hard hitter
Excellent closing speed and acceleration
Reliable in zone coverage
High football IQ and team-first mentality
Lipscomb fits the mold of the aggressive, fast-flowing defense that head coach Jordan McAlary has made a staple at Kansas.
Niles Mangum – ATH – 4★ – Houston, TX (Alief Taylor High School)
Mangum is a 6’0”, 234-pound defender with the athletic profile to play multiple positions at the next level, likely projecting as either a linebacker or box safety. He has great burst, range, and excels in pursuit. Coaches also praise his football intelligence and versatility.
Strengths:
Sideline-to-sideline speed
Excellent pursuit and awareness
Strong tackler in space
Scheme versatility: can play in multiple roles
Mangum is the kind of hybrid athlete who can adapt to various formations and matchups, and he brings a competitive edge that will help him contribute early in his career.
Missed Target: Manuel Rossi – ROLB – 5★ – Corona, CA
Kansas narrowly missed out on five-star linebacker Manuel Rossi, who chose to commit to Clemson. One of the top defenders in the country, Rossi had Kansas among his finalists, and his decision marks a rare recruiting setback in what’s otherwise been a strong cycle for the Jayhawks.
With six recruits now locked in, Kansas is trending upward as the 2029 class takes shape. If the Jayhawks can continue adding difference-makers on defense, McAlary could be assembling one of the most balanced and impactful groups of his tenure.
The McAlary Effect
That first half was all you needed to do your dougie, good job
The McAlary Effect
just need to stop getting greedy in the passing game, we aren't going to keep getting away with the turnovers
