5 questions with Jeremy Webb as he reflects on Kansas football, trains for pros

LAWRENCE — Since Kansas football’s 2021 season ended, Jeremy Webb has moved back to Florida and started training for his pro day.

Webb spent the 2021 season with the Jayhawks as a super-senior cornerback. Across 11 appearances, he’d finish sixth on the team in tackles with 32 and second in pass breakups with three. And now he’s preparing for his chance at a professional career ahead of the NFL draft.

Webb may not have been able to participate in certain pre-draft showcase bowls he’d announced invitations from, as he said he was rehabbing from a postseason surgery. But he added he’s feeling great now and is eager to put himself in the best position to be able to play at the next level. He believes with his skill set and size — Kansas listed him at 6-foot-4, 205 pounds — that he is rare for his position, not to mention intelligence since he’s played football since he was 4 years old, he has the necessary attributes.

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“It was always in the back of my head,” said Webb, asked if he’s always thought about the NFL growing up. “I didn’t really harp on it too much when I was younger. I was really just, more so, having fun with all my friends because that was what everybody was into, was playing football when we were younger. But once I started, I guess, getting offers and then also seeing my brother make it to the NFL when I was still in high school, that kind of definitely gave me, like — this is something that I can definitely, actually pursue and actually do.”

As Webb continues to work toward his goal, he spent some time with The Topeka Capital-Journal to discuss his college career and more in this Q&A:

Question: You start at Virginia Tech after a stint at a junior college, then go to Missouri State and finish at Kansas. How did your experience with college football, and maybe just college in general, compare to what you thought it might have been coming out of high school?

Answer: “Coming out of high school, I kind of just figured I would just choose a school and I would be there for however long I was there and then end up in the league, in the NFL. But I quickly realized that wasn’t the case, and honestly I feel like my experience in college football has actually been — I love the way it’s been because I’ve met so many people. I’ve met so many different coaches, so many different players, and it also helped me see a lot of different places in the United States that I probably wouldn’t have been able to see if I wasn’t playing football. So, I definitely think it was a great experience for me overall.”

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Q: You’d said in an interview when you committed to Kansas that you wanted to be a part of helping turn the program around. Right now, looking back on the time you spent with it, how do you feel about the state of the program?

A: “I feel like it’s in a great spot right now, honestly. It’s kind of bittersweet knowing the West Virginia game was my last game, because I kind of see how, like, the back end of the season, how we were kind of, like, turning things around and … everything was starting to click. So, I’m definitely excited to see what those guys do this year. I wish I could be a part of it, but I’ve done spent enough time in college. So, I definitely feel like they’re in great hands with coach (Lance) Leipold and all the guys that they got coming back.”

Q: When you look at the defense specifically, what do you feel like that group should focus on to take that next step? Is there one thing, or a couple things, that you can pinpoint given the time you spent with that group?

A: “It’s not really, I guess, one thing I can really, like, point out. But I would say, just overall, making sure everybody’s on the same page. On defense, it’s definitely important to over-communicate with any team. And just making sure that everybody has one goal in mind and making sure everybody is in on that goal so they can complete it.”

Q: What’s one moment, whether it’s on or off the field, that you’ll treasure from your time at Kansas when you look back on it in the years to come?

A: “I think, for sure, which would be a no-brainer, is definitely the Texas win in overtime. Because initially, I thought we had the game when we got the interception. I thought we could have pulled it out. But then, when they came back and made us go into overtime, it was kind of like, ‘Oh man, this is crazy.’ So, when Jared Casey caught the touchdown it was just like — it was crazy. I mean, it’s just something I definitely cherish. I remember everybody storming the field or running on the field. So that’s something, definitely, I’ll cherish forever.”

Casey caught a two-point conversion in the end zone to deliver a 57-56 victory for Kansas back in November. Webb had a tackle in that game. It was the Jayhawks’ first win ever in Austin against the Longhorns.

Q: You’re obviously not the only former Kansas football player who’s preparing for a pro career right now. But outside of yourself, who’s someone fans should be keeping an eye on?

A: “I would definitely say I like Kwamie Lassiter (II). I think he’s definitely a great football player. I think he’s very underrated as far as what he can do at the receiver position or at special teams and everything else. I think he definitely will shock a lot of people if he’s given the opportunity. But once he’s given the opportunity, I think he’ll definitely make the most of it.”

*This interview has been edited for clarity and length.

Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Jeremy Webb reflects on Kansas football winning at Texas and more