Kansas loses second OL to the portal

Kansas redshirt freshman Kene Anene became the program’s second offensive lineman to enter the portal on Friday morning.

Anene, who committed to the Jayhawks in 2023 as the No. 6 offensive line recruit in Minnesota, announced his plans to enter the transfer portal with three years of eligibility remaining. Anene also competes in track and field at KU.

In his second season as a Jayhawk, Anene starred in a 46-7 home win against Wagner in Week 2 and a 24-20 loss at Arizona in Week 11. Anene did not see action during the 2024 season.

Anene chose KU and Lance Leipold over offers from Air Force, Army, Colorado State, North Dakota State and Northern Iowa.

Anene and Greydon Grimes, son of former KU offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes (now at Wisconsin), are the first two departures for Jayhawks offensive line coach Daryl Agpalsa, who rejoined Leipold in 2023 following four seasons together at Buffalo from 2014 to 2018 before leaving for Northern Illinois in 2019.

Thirteen KU players have declared their intentions to enter the portal upon Jan. 2: Johnny Thompson Jr. (RB), Bryce Cohoon (WR), Jaden Hamm (TE), Kene Anene (OL), and Greydon Grimes (OL), Jameel Croft, Jr. (CB), Chris McCorkle (CB), Logan Brantley (LB), JaCorey Stewart (LB), Jon Jon Kamara (LB), Laquan Robinson (S), Lyrik Rawls (S), and Damani Maxson (S).