Jayhawks take big hit to secondary with Jalen Todd and Nico Brewer injuries
The Kansas Jayhawks' recent victory over Washington State was overshadowed by significant injuries to key defensive players, starting cornerback Jalen Todd and starting safety Nico Brewer. Brewer has been diagnosed with a groin pull and is expected to be sidelined for approximately a month. Todd's situation is more severe; the senior has suffered a torn pectoral muscle, an injury likely ending his collegiate career as he has already utilized his redshirt year.
Todd has been a cornerstone of the Jayhawks' defense, amassing eight career interceptions, including two this season. Reflecting on his injury, Todd expressed, "It's heartbreaking to have my final season cut short. I've given my all to this team, and while this isn't how I envisioned it ending, I'm grateful for every moment on the field."
Brewer, known for his dynamic playmaking abilities, notably returned a fumble for a touchdown against Washington State. Addressing his injury, Brewer stated, "I'll be working hard to get back as soon as possible. Watching from the sidelines is tough, but I have full confidence in my teammates to step up."
Head Coach Jordan McAlary acknowledged the impact of these injuries, saying, "Losing Jalen and Nico is a significant blow to our defense. Their leadership and performance have been instrumental to our success. However, football is about resilience and depth. This is an opportunity for other players to rise to the occasion."
In response to these setbacks, the coaching staff has adjusted the defensive lineup. Jabari Koloamatangi will assume the starting cornerback position. Immanuel Jones and Thomas Schilling are also expected to see increased playing time.
At safety, junior Reynaldo Capers, who battled with Brewer for the starting spot during spring and fall camp, will step in.
The Jayhawks face a challenging period ahead as they adapt to these changes. The team's depth and resilience will be tested, but with a collective effort, they aim to maintain their competitive edge in the season
McAlary happy with result but not performance
Kansas head coach Jordan McAlary was pleased to come away with a win over Washington State, but he made it clear the performance left plenty of room for improvement.
“It’s always good to win, but we can’t ignore the things that need fixing,” McAlary said.
Chief among his frustrations were the two long touchdown passes the defense allowed, lapses he called “unacceptable” and “not up to our standard.”
On the offensive side, McAlary pointed to the pass protection as a growing concern — the Jayhawks have already surrendered 10 sacks this season.
“Some of that’s on the line, and some of it’s us holding the ball too long trying to hit the home run,” he said. “We’ve got to be smarter and more disciplined up front if we want to keep progressing.”
at Louisiana Tech 2-1
