Landing transfer portal talent is one of the most efficient ways to get a leg up on the competition in the offseason, but when you can also take an experienced player off the roster of a regular opponent, it’s getting two birds with one stone.
That’s exactly what the Kansas Jayhawks did on Friday when they landed a commitment from Oklahoma State transfer defensive back Lyrik Rawls.
While not a weekly starter for the Cowboys, Rawls was a regular contributor for the Pokes on defense and special teams, arriving in Lawrence with 67 games of experience.
According to Pro Football Focus, Rawls has recorded 516 defensive snaps for the Pokes over the last four seasons, 221 of which came in 2024. Over his four-year stint in Stillwater, Rawls collected 67 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, six pass breakups and two interceptions.
According to 247Sports, Rawls said that KU’s new facilities, which are supposed to be ready for the 2025 season, were one of the main things that caught his eye on his visit.
“The renovation of the facilities,” Rawls said. “I didn’t expect Lawrence to look like it did it definitely shocked me but I enjoyed communicating with the coaches and players.”
Additionally, Rawls said that defensive analyst Brandon Shelby was the coach to make biggest impact on the visit, and also notes that Taylor Davis and him really hit it off.
“Coach Shelby, he’s cool coach he welcomed me in with good love and I think he can help me get me to the next level,” Rawls said. “I think [me and Davis] get along well we’re both from Texas so we had some similar background stories.”
Kansas is coming off a 5-7 season in 2024, but won three of their last four games, all coming against ranked opponents. If they can put some pieces together ahead of the 2025 season, there’s hope that the Jayhawks could get back on their home turf and compete for a Big 12 title, like they were expected to do this year.
