Kansas University defensive lineman Andrew Bolton stretches during practice on Friday, Aug. 9, 2013, at the Jayhawks’ fall camp. Bolton, a juco newcomer, has star potential once he knocks off some rust, according to his coach on the KU defensive line, Buddy Wyatt.

A Kansas University football spokesperson confirmed to the Journal-World on Thursdsay that senior defensive lineman Andrew Bolton was no longer with the team.

Bolton, a former junior-college transfer who sat out in 2013 and played in 11 games a season ago, was projected to play a big role for KU’s defensive line this season. As one of the few returning D-Linemen with game experience, Bolton’s 6-foot-3, 293-pound frame would have served the Jayhawks’ well on the interior, where they will be thin after losing most of their beef from 2014 to graduation.

Injured from the outset of his KU career, Bolton never really materialized into the difference-maker many thought he would be coming out of Hinds Community College. Ranked by Rivals.com as a three-star prospect, Bolton chose Kansas over offers from Iowa, LSU and Mississippi State.

He spent much of his first year in Lawrence feeling homesick, and not being able to play while nursing an injury did not help matters.

In 2014, he finished with 16 tackles, including 1.5 sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss, and appeared to get stronger as the season progressed.

Bolton’s departure leaves the Jayhawks with unproven returners Kapil Fletcher (6-3, 271), Tyler Holmes (6-3, 273), D.J. Williams (6-5, 289) and Daniel Wise (6-3, 271) at defensive tackle. The most recent recruiting class also included a D-Tackle, as Jacky Dezir, 6-1, 286, reported in time for spring drills.

Senior defensive end T.J. Semke, though undersized at 6-2, 245, also played inside some in KU’s previous defensive scheme.