Kansas’ Cobee Bryant honored by Big 12 after crushing hit, touchdown & interception
After a highlight-filled week against BYU, Kansas cornerback Cobee Bryant earned some conference recognition on Monday.
Bryant was named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week for the second time in his career.
His play was a major reason why Kansas defeated BYU 38-27 on Saturday. On BYU’s first drive, Bryant forced a fumble and returned it for a touchdown.
In the second half, Bryant caught his second interception of the season, which eventually led to a KU touchdown. Bryant finished with three solo tackles, including one for a loss.
He’s the first Jayhawk since 2010 to record a fumble recovery for a touchdown and an interception in the same game. And he did so with a heavy heart, playing with a late family member in mind.
Bryant becomes the first KU player since linebacker Joe Dineen with multiple Defensive Player of the Week honors for his career. Bryant previously earned the Defensive Player of the Week honor on Sept. 12, 2022, following his game-clinching interception returned for a touchdown at West Virginia.
Last season, Bryant made All-Big 12 First Team.
As a true-freshman, Bryant was part of one of the more memorable KU games in recent years, the Jayhawks’ 2021 overtime win at Texas. He started, made four tackles and recorded a pick-six against the Longhorns.
This iteration of Kansas — ranked No. 24 and sitting at 4-0 (1-0 Big 12) — will head to Austin to face that same opponent on Saturday. Naturally, Kansas coach Lance Leipold is more concerned with this year’s No. 3 Longhorns than the 2021 meeting.
“It’s old news, doesn’t matter,” Leipold said. “Both teams are significantly better. ... Honestly, it’s so far in the past we’ve got to keep moving. Yeah, it helped this program and helped our players.
“I hope its the last time I have to answer that question this week. Honestly, I do. I want to focus on our team now and where we are going because that’s what is important.”
Leipold is expecting a big challenge from the Longhorns, who solidified their standing as an early College Football Playoff contender with a win over Alabama.
“It’s an excellent football team across the board,” Leipold said. “You can tell coach Steve Sarkisian, the stamp he has put on it offensively. He’s one of the best play-callers in the country: the movements and shifts, the different looks that he gives, how they spread the ball among the playmakers that they have.”
Leipold went on to praise the Texas offensive line and front seven.
“It’s definitely to me a different team and a huge challenge for us,” Leipold said, “one that we’ve got to have our best week of preparation yet.”
This story was originally published September 25, 2023 at 3:59 PM with the headline "Kansas’ Cobee Bryant honored by Big 12 after crushing hit, touchdown & interception."
