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Former Kansas linebacker Joe Dineen Jr., has officially retired from football and has taken the first step in what he hopes will be a long and successful coaching career. Dineen, who starred at Free State High before becoming one of the top linebackers in the Big 12 from 2015-18, announced Monday that he had accepted an offer as a graduate assistant at SMU. Unsure of what exactly he will coach and when the job begins, Dineen said he was eager to jump feet-first into his coaching career. "It was a tough decision," Dineen told the Journal-World on Monday afternoon. "But with how cool of a school SMU is, it was hard to turn down."

Former KU linebacker and assistant coach Kevin Kane, now the SMU defensive coordinator, helped sell Dineen on the GA job. And Dineen's instincts did the rest. "I knew I wanted to stay around the game in some capacity," Dineen said. "And when coach Kane offered me this opportunity, it was too good of a deal to pass up." Dineen, who was close to making the 53-man roster with the Denver Broncos during his rookie season in the NFL, said he went back and forth between trying to keep his playing career alive and joining the coaching ranks for about three months. Ultimately, with the status of the 2020 NFL season uncertain, Dineen elected to call it a career. - Lawrence Journal World

(DS#27 ILB) rSr/2019

ILB Joe Dineen Jr., Kansas
News Source: Lawrence Journal World
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05/02/20 - Joe Dineen Jr., rSr/2019, Kansas, 6-2, 231 (DS#27 ILB) + More +

Two years removed from his last game at Kansas, linebacker Joe Dineen Jr. is in the same boat as many of his former teammates - sitting by the phone, waiting for a call and a chance. The former Free State standout got that chance from the Denver Broncos following the 2019 NFL draft, but a broken hand late in camp ended his chances of making the Broncos' 53-man roster. "It's frustrating for sure," Dineen said by phone this week from Denver. "When I was there, I felt like I was good enough to make the team. And now that it's kind of a struggle to get back onto a team, that's the part that's frustrating."

After parting ways with the Broncos, following a four-week injury settlement that made him a free agent again, Dineen received interest from other franchises. Workouts with Kansas City, Cleveland and Green Bay went nowhere, but the Jacksonville Jaguars signed him to their practice squad for the final two weeks of the 2019 season. On paper, it was a great move for the former All-Big 12 linebacker. It was at least a chance. But Dineen said he felt disconnected nearly the entire time in Jacksonville, always behind and never in position to pick up the defense or bond with his teammates. "I was really just there to fill a spot in practice," he said. After the season, the Jaguars let Dineen drift back into free agency and that's where he sits today, waiting for the next opportunity to prove that he can play. It might come. His agent believes it will. But neither one of them has any idea when. "My agent has said all along I'd be a post-draft guy," Dineen said referencing last weekend's NFL draft. "But this virus has just kept everything pretty quiet." - Lawrence Journal World

(DS#27 ILB) rSr/2019

ILB Joe Dineen Jr., Kansas
News Source: Lawrence Journal World
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04/22/20 - Hakeem Adeniji, Sr/2020, Kansas, 6-4, 300 (DS#11 OG) + More +

Kansas offensive lineman Hakeem Adeniji is looking to put the Jayhawks back in the NFL draft this week after KU's absence from the draft last year. If successful, he'll become just the second Jayhawk to be drafted since 2016. Two years ago, former KU defensive end Dorance Armstrong Jr. was selected by Dallas in the fourth round of the 2018 draft, ending a then-two-year drought of Jayhawk draft picks. Round 1 of the NFL draft is slated to begin at 7 p.m. Thursday night. Rounds 2 and 3 will follow on Friday, beginning at 6 p.m., and the final four rounds will take place on Saturday, beginning at 11 a.m. All 32 NFL teams will conduct their business from remote draft rooms in the virtual event, which ESPN and NFL Network have teamed up to broadcast. Adeniji is the Jayhawk most likely to be selected in the coming days. He's projected to go anywhere between the third and seventh rounds in this year's draft. After breaking onto the college football scene at Kansas as a true freshman, the 6-foot-4, 302-pound Adeniji became a mainstay on KU's offensive line, starting every game during his four seasons in Lawrence. That 48-game streak was among the longest active streaks in college football and one of the longest in Kansas history. Adeniji's durability, long arms, quick hands, strength and maturity have many analysts expecting him to be drafted sometime during the next three days. - Lawrence Journal World

(DS#11 OG) Sr/2020

OG Hakeem Adeniji, Kansas
News Source: Lawrence Journal World
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03/26/20 - Bryce Torneden, Sr/2020, Kansas, 5-10, 190 (DS#41 SS) + More +

Torneden, a Lawrence native and Free State High graduate, said he "of course" finds that recent history encouraging, and he's grateful to be in a position where he's still able to chase his childhood NFL dreams. "I'm thankful for the opportunity," Torneden said shortly after completing his pro day workouts, "and hope I get the foot in the door and I can really continue to work hard and get a chance." Even if the that doesn't turn out to be the case for Torneden, the XFL would be a fallback option. Another shot for Torneden to impress NFL decision-makers was supposed to come on April 3. That's the date the Kansas City Chiefs had already asked him to participate with other prospects at the franchise's local pro day. That invite came, of course, before the entire sports world got put on shutdown by the coronavirus pandemic. The NFL has since nixed all in-person visits of that sort, prohibited team representatives from traveling to see prospects in person.

It's unlikely Torneden and other players in his position who are under the radar will get another chance to work out in front of NFL coaches or scouts before the draft, which is still on schedule to run from April 23-25. "I think it obviously potentially hurts," Torneden told the Journal-World this week regarding the atypical circumstances players in this draft class are facing, "just because there's not as much exposure or scouts out there looking and interviewing. But I think it'll all unravel how it should, and I'm not really stressing about it too much. I feel like 90% of teams' scouting is done, being this close to the draft." - Lawrence Journal World

(DS#41 SS) Sr/2020

SS Bryce Torneden, Kansas
News Source: Lawrence Journal World
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03/16/20 - Hakeem Adeniji, Sr/2020, Kansas, 6-4, 300 (DS#11 OG) + More +

The plan was for Hakeem Adeniji to stick around Lawrence for a couple more weeks. The former Kansas football offensive lineman would use his college town as a home base of sorts leading up to the NFL Draft. That was before everything went haywire. Just like most of the sports world, the NFL couldn't avoid abandoning its normal state of affairs because of the COVID-19 pandemic. On Friday the league put a stop to all in-person visits between organizations and draft prospects. By the end of the day, Adeniji was back in his hometown of Garland, Texas. Thanks to a solid showing at the league's pre-draft combine in late February, Adeniji, a four-year starter at KU, had in-person visits lined up with four different franchises.

"I got one done. One," Adeniji shared during a phone interview with the Journal-World. "But everything else was canceled." All of those face-to-face meetings with NFL teams were to take place inside KU's indoor practice facility, so the 6-foot-4, 302-pound lineman also could work out for whatever staff members made the trip. At least, Adeniji said, the change in plans didn't catch him off guard. "I mean, I kind of figured it was coming, because there was that one big day after the NBA suspended everything. Then everything was starting to get canceled," Adeniji said of the surge of cancellations late last week, "pro days and everything were starting to get canceled." - Lawrence Journal World

(DS#11 OG) Sr/2020

OG Hakeem Adeniji, Kansas
News Source: Lawrence Journal World
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03/05/20 - Hakeem Adeniji, Sr/2020, Kansas, 6-4, 300 (DS#11 OG) + More +

The Kansas Jayhawks held their annual Pro Day inside the Indoor Practice Facility in Lawrence, Kansas on Thursday, holding workouts for 18 players with numerous scouts in attendance. The 18 Jayhawks participating in Pro Day included Hakeem Adeniji, Jelani Brown, Daylon Charlot, Codey Cole III, Hasan Defense, Kevin Feder, Deante Ford, Elmore Hempstead, Azur Kamara, Mike Lee, Darius Moragne, Shaquille Richmond, Carter Stanley and Najee-Stevens McKenzie. Former Kansas football student-athletes who competed included Jeremiah Booker, Joe Dineen and Kerr Johnson. - Kansas Football

(DS#11 OG) Sr/2020

OG Hakeem Adeniji, Kansas
News Source: Kansas Football
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03/05/20 - Hakeem Adeniji, Sr/2020, Kansas, 6-4, 300 (DS#11 OG) + More +

Fresh off a productive and potentially career-making trip to Indianapolis for the NFL pre-draft combine last week, Hakeem Adeniji still wanted to show scouts a little more at the Kansas football program's annual pro day. Adeniji's performance on the larger stage went so well that he already has workouts set up with four teams, including the Kansas City Chiefs, but the offensive lineman suited up with 17 of his former KU teammates to do some position drills and agility work Thursday at the Jayhawks' indoor practice facility. The 6-foot-4 prospect from Garland, Texas, admitted feeling fatigued after a long day at the NFL combine this past Friday, and explained he was so "hyped up" for the chance to prove himself that it was easy to feel "burnt out" by the end of it.

Adeniji went through some O-line drills with Kevin Feder and also participated in the L-cone drill, finishing the change-of-direction foot race in 8.08 seconds. "I wanted to do a little bit better, kind of tripped up on the turf a little bit, but it was all good," the upbeat Adeniji said. "This is what I've worked for my whole life, and I'm trying to make every moment the best moment and enjoy things and obviously do as good as possible as a competitor." KU head coach Les Miles, a big proponent of Adeniji's over the past year, said the team's former starting left tackle impressed at KU's pro day, as did Lawrence native and Free State High graduate Bryce Torneden. "You'd be surprised to find out what the scouts think," Miles added. - Topeka Capital Journal

(DS#11 OG) Sr/2020

OG Hakeem Adeniji, Kansas
News Source: Topeka Capital Journal
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02/19/20 - Hakeem Adeniji, Sr/2020, Kansas, 6-4, 300 (DS#11 OG) + More +

2020 NFL COMBINE INVITE: Hakeem Adeniji, OT, Kansas,...Adeniji, who tied a school record by starting 48-straight games, was recently tabbed All-Big 12 First Team by both the conference coaches and was an All-Big 12 Second Team honoree by the Associated Press. Adeniji will report to Indianapolis on Monday, Feb. 24 and will take part in various activities, including interviews, measurements, medical examinations, psychological testing and physical testing throughout the week. - Kansas Football

(DS#11 OG) Sr/2020

OG Hakeem Adeniji, Kansas
News Source: Kansas Football
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02/19/20 - *Pooka Williams Jr., Jr/2021, Kansas, 5-10, 170 (DS#20 RB) + More +

Kansas has hired Jonathan Wallace to coach special teams and running backs, completing an overhaul of Les Miles' staff as the Jayhawks head into Year 2 of the former national championship-winning coach's regime. Miles announced the hiring in a statement Tuesday. Wallace spent last season coaching tight ends at Air Force, and he spent the previous season at Bethel, a Division III school in Minnesota where he worked with recently promoted offensive coordinator Brent Dearmon. Wallace also spent two years as an offensive graduate assistant at Auburn, where he played quarterback and wide receiver. Wallace helped the Tigers to a pair of bowl games and an appearance in the SEC title game as a coach. - AP College Football

(DS#20 RB) Jr/2021

RB *Pooka Williams Jr., Kansas
News Source: AP College Football
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02/19/20 - Azur Kamara, Sr/2020, Kansas, 6-3, 242 (DS#26 OLB) + More +

2020 NFL COMBINE INVITE: Azur Kamara, OLB, Kansas,...A native of Glendale Arizona, Kamara finished the 2019 season with 51 total tackles, including a team-leading 3.5 sacks. He registered 6.0 tackles-for-loss and four quarterback hurries for the Jayhawks during his senior season. - Kansas Football

(DS#26 OLB) Sr/2020

OLB Azur Kamara, Kansas
News Source: Kansas Football
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12/09/19 - Dylan McDuffie, rSr/2024, Kansas, 5-10, 218 (DS#42 RB) + More +

A third-string running back for Bahamas Bowl-bound University at Buffalo has been arrested on domestic violence charges. The school announced Dylan McDuffie has been suspended pending an investigation after being arrested by university police on Saturday evening. The school did not provide any details Sunday of what happened except to say the other person involved is not a student at the university. Coach Lance Leipold called the allegations against McDuffie as being "a serious violation" of the team's code of conduct and added domestic violence will not be tolerated. McDuffie is from the Buffalo area and in his second season with the Mid-American Conference Bulls. He had 150 yards rushing and 25 yards receiving and a touchdown in seven games this season. The Bulls are 7-5 and will play Charlotte in the Bahamas Bowl on Dec. 20. - AP College Football

(DS#42 RB) rSr/2024

RB Dylan McDuffie, Kansas
News Source: AP College Football
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12/08/19 - Kyle Thompson, Sr/2022, Kansas, 6-3, 222 (DS#999 P) + More +

2019 ALL-BIG 12 FOOTBALL HONORABLE MENTION (COACHES): Kyle Thompson (P),...Eight Jayhawks took home honorable mention honors as seniors Jelani Brown (DL), Hasan Defense (DB), Azur Kamara (DL) and Mike Lee (DB) were each recognized, along with juniors Andrew Parchment (WR & Offensive Newcomer of the Year) and Kyle Thompson (P), sophomore Ben Miles (FB) and freshman Gavin Potter (Defensive Freshman of the Year). With 10 total honorees, it marks the third time in the last four seasons that 10 or more Jayhawks have picked up All-Big 12 awards. - Kansas Football

(DS#999 P) Sr/2022

P Kyle Thompson, Kansas
News Source: Kansas Football
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12/06/19 - Hakeem Adeniji, Sr/2020, Kansas, 6-4, 300 (DS#11 OG) + More +

2019 ALL-BIG 12 FOOTBALL FIRST TEAM (COACHES): OL Hakeem Adeniji, Kansas,...Adeniji, an offensive lineman from Garland, Texas, took home first-team honors for the first time in his KU career, while Williams was honored as a first-team member for the second-consecutive season. Williams is the first Jayhawk to earn back-to-back first-team recognition since defensive lineman Daniel Wise did so in 2017 and 2018 and is the first KU offensive player to be tabbed a first-team member since KU joined the Big 12.

Adeniji tied a KU school record by starting 48-straight games, every game in his career, on the offensive line. He helped pave the way for the Jayhawks offense to its most productive output in 10 years as it averaged 377.3 yards per game, including three games with more than 500 yards of total offense. In addition to earning first-team honors, Adeniji earned an honorable mention nod for Offensive Lineman of the Year. - Kansas Football

(DS#11 OG) Sr/2020

OG Hakeem Adeniji, Kansas
News Source: Kansas Football
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12/06/19 - *Pooka Williams Jr., Jr/2021, Kansas, 5-10, 170 (DS#20 RB) + More +

2019 ALL-BIG 12 FOOTBALL FIRST TEAM (COACHES): RB Pooka Williams Jr., Kansas,...Williams, a New Orleans, native, played a huge part in KU's productivity on offense as he posted his second-straight 1,000-yard season, becoming just the second player in KU history to do so, joining James Sims (2012-13). He collected 1,061 yards on 203 carries, including three touchdowns. Williams also amassed 214 receiving yards on 27 catches, with two resulting in scores. Williams recorded four 100-yard rushing games on the season, including a season-high 190-yard outing at Texas. - Kansas Football

(DS#20 RB) Jr/2021

RB *Pooka Williams Jr., Kansas
News Source: Kansas Football
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12/06/19 - Jelani Brown, Sr/2020, Kansas, 6-1, 283 (DS#88 DT) + More +

2019 ALL-BIG 12 FOOTBALL HONORABLE MENTION (COACHES): Jelani Brown (DL),...Eight Jayhawks took home honorable mention honors as seniors Jelani Brown (DL), Hasan Defense (DB), Azur Kamara (DL) and Mike Lee (DB) were each recognized, along with juniors Andrew Parchment (WR & Offensive Newcomer of the Year) and Kyle Thompson (P), sophomore Ben Miles (FB) and freshman Gavin Potter (Defensive Freshman of the Year). With 10 total honorees, it marks the third time in the last four seasons that 10 or more Jayhawks have picked up All-Big 12 awards. - Kansas Football

(DS#88 DT) Sr/2020

DT Jelani Brown, Kansas
News Source: Kansas Football
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