photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Kansas linebacker Bangally Kamara takes part in spring practice on Thursday, March 6, 2025, in Lawrence.

Kansas linebacker Bangally Kamara didn’t foresee himself spending six years in college.

He hoped, “like every kid,” that his time playing college football would be half that long and send him on a quick path to the NFL.

“A lot of circumstances don’t allow some people to do that,” he said on Saturday. “But I’m just grateful that I get another opportunity. You know, I always tell myself, ‘As long as there’s an opportunity, there’s a chance.'”

Kamara’s latest chance is at KU, after an ill-fated stint at South Carolina that saw him decide to redshirt and end up leaving the team after playing 70 snaps in four games for the Gamecocks. Before that, he played in 48 games at Pittsburgh over four years with the Panthers, including two full seasons as a starter at two separate linebacker spots; before that he was a well-regarded prospect out of East Community Learning Center in Akron, Ohio.

Now, as another of the most experienced players on the new-look defense, he is a shoo-in for significant playing time as KU’s weak-side “Will” linebacker, but he’s also the sort of talent the Jayhawks can line up all over the place.

“Certainly he’s one of those guys that has a broad skill set,” linebackers coach Chris Simpson said, “so we should be able to use him in a lot of different ways, whether he’s a stack backer or coming off the edge or whatever the case is.”

Teammate and fellow transfer Joseph Sipp Jr. struck a similar tone.

“He’s so versatile, he could go off the edge, he could play in the box,” Sipp said. “Just hands down a dog. I’m excited to be able to play next to him this year.”

Those two and fellow transfer Trey Lathan will be doing a lot of dirty work for the Jayhawks’ defense this season.

“I was telling Jon Jon (Kamara, no relation) last night: We’re the trash man,” Kamara added. “Don’t nobody like to do what we do. Really, honestly, no one likes to do what we do. Some linebackers don’t even like to do what they do. You got to be able to just do the hard things, that’s really just it.”

Kamara has 124 career tackles to his name to go with one interception and one forced fumble. Pro Football Focus grades have flattered him in recent years; he was a solid 69.9 for the 2023 season in which he started at “Money” linebacker at Pitt, then at the time he left the South Carolina roster he was the highest-graded Gamecock on defense.

He left South Carolina early enough in the season that he was able to commit to KU at the start of November and become the first transfer commitment of the entire portal cycle.

Since he arrived in Lawrence, head coach Lance Leipold said he “consistently shows up.” Simpson praised his innate athletic ability and said he expects him to have a productive season.

“He’s one of those guys, it looks like he’s not even trying sometimes because he’s a natural, efficient mover,” Simpson said.

Kamara describes his game as “a lot of speed, athleticism, good at blitzing, could get better against the run but working to get better for sure.”

It’s a skill set that compliments Lathan, Sipp, the other Kamara and Jayson Gilliom well as the motley crew develops into a cohesive unit.

“All of us have so many different abilities and stuff like that,” he said, “and it’s all come together and looks good on film.”

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Kansas linebacker Bangally Kamara takes part in spring practice on Thursday, March 6, 2025, in Lawrence.

photo by: AP Photo/Keith Srakocic

Pittsburgh linebacker Bangally Kamara (11) blocks a pass by Rhode Island quarterback Kasim Hill (8) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, in Pittsburgh.

photo by: AP Photo/Keith Srakocic

APTOPIX —Pittsburgh linebacker Bangally Kamara (11) deflects a pass to Duke wide receiver Jordan Moore (8) in the end zone during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh won 28-26.