LAWRENCE, Kan. – The Kansas Jayhawks had seven players named All-Big 12 on Thursday, the league announced, headlined by a pair of second-team selections in defensive end Kyron Johnson and safety Kenny Logan Jr. The Jayhawks also had five players named to honorable mention All-Big 12, including left tackle Earl Bostick Jr., wide receiver Kwamie Lassiter II, linebacker Rich Miller, running back Devin Neal and center Mike Novitsky.
Logan, Johnson and Lassiter all earned honorable mention honors last season, while Neal, a true freshman, and Novitsky and Miller, a pair of transfers from Buffalo, are being recognized by the league for the first time.
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Earl Bostick Jr. (Honorable Mention All-Big 12)
A stalwart on the offensive line, the Barnwell, South Carolina native started all 12 games at left tackle for the Jayhawks in 2021. He allowed a pair of sacks in the second game of the season at Coastal Carolina, and those were the only two sacks he allowed in 807 total snaps. According to PFF, he graded out as the team’s top lineman in the Jayhawks 57-56 win over Texas last month. Bostick Jr., helped the offensive line show drastic improvement in 2021. The Jayhawks allowed just 16 sacks in 12 games, after allowing 43 sacks in nine games in 2020. Bostick Jr., also had a memorable two-point conversion catch against West Virginia in the season finale.
WR Kwamie Lassiter II (Honorable Mention All-Big 12)
The super-senior from Chandler, Arizona, Lassiter II had his best season in 2021, capping off a brilliant Kansas career that left his name all over the record books. Lassiter established career-highs and led the team in receptions (59), receiving yards (653) and receiving touchdowns (3). The 59 receptions ranked fifth in the Big 12 this season, while the 653 yards ranked eighth. He also finished second in the Big 12 in total punt return yards with 108. Lassiter finished his career, ranking fifth all-time in program history in career receptions with 148 and 12th in career receiving yards with 1,550. Lassiter was also the team’s Wuerffel Trophy candidate for this year.
Linebacker Rich Miller (Honorable Mention All-Big 12)
The Buffalo transfer thrived in his first season with Kansas, especially late in the season when he took over as a full-time starter. Miller finished second on the team with 79 total tackles and two sacks and tied for second with five tackles-for-loss. He also added two pass breakups, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. Miller started the final nine games of the season for Kansas and had four tackles-for-loss in his last four games. Miller had a career-high 14 tackles at Duke, and had nine tackles in the season finale against West Virginia and eight tackles apiece against Kansas State and Texas.
RB Devin Neal (Honorable Mention All-Big 12)
The true freshman Lawrence native dazzled in his first season with the Jayhawks. He led the team and all Big 12 freshmen with 707 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns. His 707 yards ranked 13th nationally among freshmen, while his eight touchdowns ranked tied for 10th. He ranked ninth in the Big 12 in rushing yards and averaged 4.5 yards per carry in his debut season at Kansas. Neal also became the first Kansas freshman to score at least eight rushing touchdowns since James Sims in 2010. Neal rushed for 100 yards and two touchdowns against Oklahoma, becoming just the fourth true freshman since 2000 to rush for 100 yards and two scores against the Sooners. Against Texas, he had 143 rushing yards, three rushing touchdowns, 26 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown. He became just the third player nationally this season to have three rushing touchdowns and one receiving touchdown in the same game. He was named Big 12 Newcomer of the Week following the Oklahoma game and the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week after the Texas game.
C Mike Novitsky (Honorable Mention All-Big 12)
A fellow transfer from Buffalo like Miller, Novitsky anchored the offensive line from his center position this year for the Jayhawks. A starter in all 12 games, Novitsky did not allow a sack or commit a penalty in 799 total snaps for the Jayhawks. According to PFF, Novitsky graded out at 96% or better in pass blocking efficiency in all 12 games this season. He led an offensive line that allowed 16 sacks in 12 games this season after allowing 43 in nine last season. Additionally, not only did Novitsky not allow a sack this season, he has not allowed a sack in 2,302 total snaps during his collegiate career.
