KANSAS

Kansas vs. UNLV: Top 5 Rebels to Watch

The Jayhawks are looking to rebound from last week's Illinois loss. Rich Cirminiello shares the five UNLV players that Kansas must contain.

Rich Cirminiello

Dec 26, 2023; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Kansas Jayhawks quarterback Jason Bean (9) runs the ball against UNLV Rebels linebacker Jackson Woodard (7) during the second quarter in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Dec 26, 2023; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Kansas Jayhawks quarterback Jason Bean (9) runs the ball against UNLV Rebels linebacker Jackson Woodard (7) during the second quarter in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
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Kansas played well enough to win in Champaign last weekend, but lost to Illinois to fall out of the Top 25. Now, the Jayhawks are looking to bounce back against UNLV before Big 12 play begins. The Rebels are 2-0, quietly climbing the rankings, and a contender for a playoff spot. These are the five Rebels who could give Kansas its biggest problems Friday night:

* Jersey # listed next to player for easy in-game locating

5. WR Jacob De Jesus [#21]

Kansas fans will hold their collective breath whenever De Jesus touches the ball. He's a flat-out playmaker, as a receiver, ballcarrier, and return man on special teams. De Jesus caught two TD passes in UNLV's opening day upset of Houston.

4. QB Matthew Sluka [#3]

After losing Jayden Maiava to the portal, Barry Odom dipped into the portal and grabbed Sluka from Holy Cross. He's a two-time Walter Payton Award finalist and a great fit for this offense. Sluka makes things happen with his feet, and he's accounted for six TDs in two games.

3. S Jalen Catalon [#1]

Talent was never an issue for Catalon, the oft-injured transfer by way of Arkansas and Texas. Now that he's finally at full strength, he's showing why receivers must keep their head on a swivel when crossing the middle of the field.

2. LB Jackson Woodard [#7]

Woodard, like Catalon, is a former Razorback flourishing in Las Vegas. The First Team All-Mountain West selection is a tackling machine, with a knack for backfield destruction. Woodard has a team-high 12 tackles this year, including four for loss and three sacks.

1. WR Ricky White [#11]

Kudos to Odom and the staff for keeping this star a Rebel for one more year. He's an elite ball-tracker and route-runner, with an All-American ceiling. White had 88 receptions for 1,483 yards, and eight scores a year ago, and already has three TDs this season.

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Rich Cirminiello

RICH CIRMINIELLO

I've been the VP of College Awards for the Maxwell Football Club since 2008. I oversee and manage all aspects of the Maxwell Award (CFB Player of the Year), Bednarik Award (Defensive POY) and Munger Award (CFB Coach of the Year), including creating watch lists, steering the selection committee and choosing players of the week. I appear weekly on SportsGrid TV to discuss college football, both as a guest and a co-host of various live shows. I oversee and manage two additional college awards, outside the purview of the Maxwell Football Club - former Seattle Seahawk RB Shaun Alexander's Freshman of the Year Award & the Buddy Teevens Award, which was created by Peyton Manning, Archie Manning and Omaha Productions in honor of the late Dartmouth coach. I'm contracted out each May by Phil Steele to help edit the magazine and write select articles leading up to the publication of his annual College Football Preview in June.

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