photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas defensive tackle Daniel Wise catches a break during practice on Friday, Aug. 18, 2017 at the grass fields adjacent to Hoglund Ballpark.

I know you have read this opinion in many previous seasons only to be disappointed, but this time it seems as if it can’t possibly be anything but accurate: Kansas should have a better defense this coming season than last.

Now that Daniel Wise decided to return, that means that KU has 10 of its leading 11 tacklers, its two sack leaders and its only two players to pick off passes (Hasan Defense and Mike Lee) back for David Beaty’s fourth season.

Plus, several defensive players from junior college were recruited with the intention of helping immediately.

Sure, defensive end Dorance Armstrong will be missed a great deal, despite being limited to two sacks a year after totaling 10 as a sophomore. Still, he led all Big 12 defensive ends in tackles and played a part in KU’s big improvement against the run.

In 2015, opponents averaged 5.67 yards per carry, placing KU 123rd in the nation. The numbers improved to 5.17 (106th) in 2016 and 4.19 (55th) in 2017. Other than Armstrong, all the players who brought about that improvement return.

The linebackers all are back and the hope is that speedy Kyron Johnson will improve enough from his true freshman to sophomore season to take on a bigger role.

J.J. Holmes, mobile for his size but still in need of shedding a few pounds, Isi Holani (with a medical redshirt gaining him an extra year) and juco recruit Charles Cole have a chance to make defensive tackle a solid position.

Azura Kamara, juco defensive end, is considered by some the jewel of KU’s juco class, and Najee Stevens-McKenzie arrives from juco with a reputation as an explosive edge rusher. Josh Ehambe has one more season remaining.

Four juco defensive backs were recruited to try to shore up a shoddy secondary. Will they make KU better against the pass? Can’t get much worse. Plus, top 100 high school recruit Corione Harris could win a job right off the bat.

Most importantly, the driven, energetic, talented, experienced Wise is back, which enables the rest of the front six fall into place.