Blue Team safety Isaiah Johnson flashes a smile after intercepting White Team quarterback Michael Cummings during the first half of the Kansas Spring Game on Saturday, April 12, 2014 at Memorial Stadium. Nick Krug/Journal-World Photo

The Kansas University secondary will enter the 2015 season in full rebuild mode now that former Big 12 defensive newcomer of the year Isaiah Johnson is leaving.

KU football announced Friday afternoon that Johnson, a safety from Cary, North Carolina, who started at Kansas during the past two seasons, had decided to leave Lawrence after graduating in May.

KU now has said goodbye to last year’s starting cornerbacks, JaCorey Shepherd and Dexter McDonald, as well as 2014 starting safeties, Johnson and Cassius Sendish.

“We would like to thank Isaiah for all of the contributions he made to our program during his time at Kansas,” KU coach David Beaty said in a news release. “He has been a model citizen and teammate and we wish him nothing but the best in the future.”

According to the release announcing his departure, Johnson, who recorded 148 tackles, six interceptions and seven pass break-ups during his time with the Jayhawks, is leaving for personal reasons.

“My time at KU has been a great experience,” said Johnson, who is on schedule to earn a degree in sociology. “I have learned a lot from my coaches and have made friends I will keep for the rest of my life. Unfortunately, for personal reasons, I will play my last year somewhere else, but I will always be grateful to Coach Beaty and his staff for all that they have done for me and how much he has helped me during this time.”

Johnson’s departure is the second this offseason of a potential returning starter. Junior wide receiver Nigel King announced his decision to enter the NFL draft shortly after the 2014 season ended.

Johnson arrived at KU prior to the 2013 season as a three-star prospect out of Iowa Western Community College, where he teamed with KU offensive lineman Mike Smithburg and Kansas State quarterback Jake Waters to win a juco national title.

Kansas, which will return just 44 letter winners from 2014, will open spring practice on March 24.