Two Jayhawks players have the potential to become the top NFL Draft picks from Kansas football since Aqib Talib, marking the highest draft position of Coach Leipold’s career.
The 2024 NFL Draft commences on Thursday, offering a chance for two Kansas football players to potentially join the league by the end of the second day.
Offensive lineman Dominick Puni and defensive end Austin Booker are both forecasted to be third-round selections, with Puni even poised for a higher placement.
Puni’s journey is notable. After transferring from Division II Central Missouri in 2022, he swiftly became a starter for Kansas, contributing to a strong offensive line that excelled in minimizing sacks. His standout performance in the 2023-24 season, starting in all 12 regular games and not conceding a single sack in 743 snaps, earned him First Team All-Big 12 recognition.
Similarly, Booker made a significant impact for the Jayhawks after transferring from Minnesota, recording eight sacks – the most since Dorance Armstrong Jr. in 2016. He was named First Team All-Big 12 and Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year.
NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. ranks Puni at No. 82 overall and the fifth-best guard, while Booker sits at No. 107 overall and ninth-best outside linebacker.
Puni’s versatility, projected as both a guard and tackle, enhances his draft prospects. Pro Football Focus and ESPN’s mock drafts place Booker at Pick No. 68 to the New England Patriots and Puni at Pick No. 90 to the New York Jets. In another mock draft by ESPN’s Jordan Reid, Puni is projected at No. 64 to the Kansas City Chiefs, while Booker is predicted to go at Pick No. 71 to the Arizona Cardinals.
If these forecasts hold true, Puni and Booker could mark the highest NFL Draft picks from Kansas football since Aqib Talib in 2008. This would surpass previous selections like Anthony Collins, Derek Fine, Darrell Stuckey, and Dorance Armstrong Jr., all picked in the fourth round.
Regardless of their draft positions, Puni, Booker, and all Jayhawks hopeful of being drafted will have the support of the Kansas fanbase as they embark on their NFL journeys.
