D.J. Withers

Nate Betts

/ Football

Morgantown, West Virginia - September 21, 2024 - during a game between the Kansas Jayhawks and the West Virginia Mountaineers at Milan Puskar Stadium in Morgantown, West Virginia. Photo by Kansas Athletics

Photo by: Aiden Droge/Kansas Athletics

LAWRENCE, KS - November 11, 2023 - defensive lineman D.J. Withers #52 of the Kansas Jayhawks during the game between Kansas and Texas Tech at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, KS. Photo by Missy Minear/Kansas Athletics

Photo by: Missy Minear/Kansas Athletics

AMES, IA - November 4, 2023 - defensive lineman D.J. Withers #52 of the Kansas Jayhawks during the game between Kansas and Iowa State at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, IA. Photo by Missy Minear/Kansas Athletics

Photo by: Missy Minear/Kansas Athletics

Position:
Defensive Tackle
Height:
6-4
Weight:
310
Class:
Freshman
High School:
Joe T. Robinson HS
Hometown:
Little Rock, Ark.
NIL Opportunities:
Contact

NAME PRONUNCIATION

Get to Know D.J. ...

At what age did you start playing football and how did you get into football?

I started to play football at 4. I got into football because all of my uncles and father were coaching.

Who is your biggest role model?

My father, for overcoming some of the problems in his life and always being a great father.

Who was your favorite player growing up and who do you model your game after?

My favorite is Cam Newton.

What is one thing that someone wouldn't know about you?

I'm the best Madden/NCAA player on the team.

2024: Played in all 12 games for the Jayhawks, starting seven ... Recorded a career-high 21 tackles and 4.0 tackles-for-loss... Lindenwood: Started at defensive tackle and recorded a solo tackle in the season opening win... at West Virginia: Recorded a sack and an additional tackle against the Mountaineers... TCU: Tallied two solo tackles against the Horned Frogs... at Arizona State: Recorded a season high five tackles against the Sun Devils... Houston: Tallied three solo tackles with two TFL's, recorded his first career sack, recording two for 12 yards... at Kansas State: Recorded two total tackles against the Wildcats... at BYU: Assisted on a tackle against the Cougars...

2023: Saw action in 12 games, and recorded 10 tackles, six of which being solo, and also tacked on 1.5 tackles for loss in his redshirt sophomore season.

2022: Played in all 13 games and recorded six total tackles, four of which being solo, and also recorded his first tackle for loss... Tennessee Tech: Assisted one tackle in season opener against the Golden Eagles … Duke: Recorded a solo tackle in win over the Blue Devils … Iowa State: Did not record any stats … TCU: Hurried the QB once against the Horned Frogs … at Texas Tech: Assisted on a tackle against the Red Raiders … Texas: Made three solo tackles against the Longhorns, one being a TFL of a yard … at Texas: Assisted on one tackle in the game … UCF: Recovered a fumble late in the second quarter, the first fumble recovery in his career… at Iowa State: Assisted on a tackle in the win over the Cyclones… Texas Tech: Earned two tackles (both solo) in the contest.

2021: Made his first career appearance at Oklahoma State.

High School: A 247 Sports composite three-star recruit…Coached by Todd Eskola…Helped lead team to a 9-4 mark and a top 25 state ranking…Posted 69 tackles and 13 sacks as a senior…Also caused four fumbles, defended two passes and notched an interception…Had 75 tackles with eight sacks as a junior…Sports Illustrated All-American Candidate…Helped team win a state championship in 2019 as a junior…Ranked as seventh-best high school player in Arkansas by MaxPreps.

Personal: Son of Chequetta and Deldrick Withers…Has one brother, Branden…Also drew interest from Vanderbilt, Central Florida, Tulane and others…Plans to major in advertising or business.

Hawk Talk with Lance Leipold

Thursday, September 04

Kansas Football Game Week Availability: Week 2, at Missouri

Monday, September 01

Kansas Football vs. Wagner Highlights

Friday, August 29

Kansas Football Game Week Availability: Week 1, vs. Wagner

Monday, August 25

Kansas Falls in Border Showdown Matchup at Missouri

Saturday, September 06

Lawrence, KS - August 1, 2025 - /fb during fall camp at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, KS. Photo by Kansas Athletics

Kansas Athletics to Host StorageMart Border Showdown Watch Party on Sept. 6

Friday, September 05

Kansas Travels to Columbia to Take on Missouri for 121st Time

Monday, September 01

Kansas Rolls to 2-0 with 46-7 Victory Over Wagner

Friday, August 29

University of Kansas Athletics

2021 Football Roster

Roster

Kenny Logan Jr.

Lawrence Arnold

Cobee Bryant

Miles Kendrick

Ricky Thomas Jr.

Johnquai Lewis

Devin Neal

O.J. Burroughs

Majik Rector

Taiwan Berryhill Jr.

Jalon Daniels

Takulve Williams

Trevor Wilson

Kwamie Lassiter II

Conrad Hawley

Jeremy Webb

Jayson Gilliom

Luke Grimm

Eddie Wilson

Torry Locklin

Mello Dotson

Jordan Preston

Jordan Medley

Steven Parker

Miles Fallin

Kyron Johnson

Shaad Dabney

Ben Easters

Jason Bean

DeVonte Wilson

Jordan Brown

Edwin White-Schultz

Steven McBride

Gavin Potter

Donovan Gaines

Daniel Hishaw Jr.

Rob Fiorentino

Duece Mayberry

Alonso Person

Amauri Pesek-Hickson

Malik Johnson

Reis Vernon

Gayflor Flomo

Jack Codwell

Kyler Pearson

Kwinton Lassiter

Ben Miles

Jaden Robinson

Rich Miller Jr.

Landon Nelson

Dylan Downing

Spencer Roe

Owen Piepergerdes

Zion DeBose

DeAndre Thomas Jr.

Grayden Addison

Hayden Hatcher

James Wright

Cole Mondi

Tabor Allen

Trey Staley

Nick Channel

Jay Dineen

Cornell Wheeler

Trevor Kardell

D'Marion Alexander

Jared Casey

Krishawn Brown

Mack Moeller

Mike Novitsky

Emory Duggar

D.J. Withers

Caleb Taylor

Michael Ford Jr.

Ar'maj Reed-Adams

Hank Kelly

Larson Workman