LAWRENCE – With his senior season set to begin next week, Kansas linebacker Taiwan Berryhill can’t help but take a moment to look back.
When the 6-foot-2, 230-pound linebacker out of New Orleans signed with the Jayhawks, he expected to play for Les Miles for four years. However, the team went 0-9 in a covid-shortened season, and Miles was let go. Lance Leipold replaced Miles but didn’t start until after spring football.
But the team improved quickly, going 2-10, 6-7 and 9-4 the next three years with two bowl games in a row. While the seats at the football field were largely empty when he first started, a new stadium is now being built and fan interest couldn’t be higher.
“Personally, it took me a second to realize that we were the team to make the big change, and I was part of that,” Berryhill said Tuesday at KU football media day. “And I take a lot of pride in that.
“Other guys take a lot of pride in that, and it’s exciting to see everything that’s been built. We finally get an upgraded facility, a facility that’s modern. And hopefully we’ll get more recruits in, and winning just helps everything.”
The No. 22 Jayhawks will open the season against Lindenwood at 7 p.m. Aug. 29 at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kan., and Berryhill can’t wait to get started.
“I’m excited,” he said. “It came fast. I feel like just yesterday we were in Arizona, and the offseason flew by so fast. This is my ride, last go-round and I’m just ready to put it on film.”
Last season, Berryhill had 37 tackles, two for loss and a sack in 11 games. His best performance came against UCF when he had eight tackles and a sack. This year, though, KU must replace starters Rich Miller and Craig Young. Berryhill along with JB Brown and Cornell Wheeler all played significant snaps last year, and Leipold likes the linebacker room.
“I think this group plays downhill a little bit more than we had last year,” Leipold said. “And (Berryhill) is a guy that runs well and is a physical player.”
Berryhill also said he’s more mentally prepared, having already played three seasons in Brian Borland’s defense.
“I feel good,” Berryhill said. “I feel like I’m in a comfortable spot. I feel like I know how other positions fit and I’m a lot more knowledgeable about defense and what other guys are doing around me. And as far as the room, I feel like we got a lot of guys who know what they’re doing, and there’s a lot of guys who can step up if they need to.”
And while Berryhill and the Jayhawks are hoping for a Big 12 title this season, he also couldn’t help but look forward to wearing the team’s new red uniforms.
“I wasn’t expecting the new red uniform drop,” Berryhill said. “I thought the red uniforms would be the old ones, but I love it. I love the design on the side that says “Rock Chalk” and I can’t wait to wear them.”
