photo by: AP Photo/Rich Schultz

Rutgers running back Kyle Monangai (5) attempts to get past Illinois defensive lineman Alex Bray (11) as he runs during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Piscataway, N.J. Illinois defeated Rutgers 38-31.

The Kansas football strengthened its defensive line with another spring transfer addition on Saturday afternoon.

Alex Bray, a 6-foot-4 270-pound lineman who played primarily as a defensive end in a three-man front at Illinois, announced his commitment to KU on Saturday afternoon.

Bray is originally from Chesterfield, Missouri, in the St. Louis area. He played sparingly as a true freshman in nine games in 2023, then started three of 13 games as a sophomore for the Illini in 2024, a season during which he recorded 20 tackles. The KU staff had the chance to see him up close in one game each of his two years during the Jayhawks’ home-and-home series with Illinois.

Bray will bring 462 career snaps to Lawrence, according to Pro Football Focus, and should contribute immediately to the Jayhawks’ new-look rotation at defensive end. The junior is the second transfer KU has added at that position, after Leroy Harris III from Chattanooga, and fourth overall this spring, given that the Jayhawks have also recently secured commitments from cornerback Syeed Gibbs (Georgia Tech) on Thursday and offensive tackle Enrique Cruz Jr. (Syracuse) on Friday.

Given his size, Bray will have a solid opportunity to compete for playing time at strong-side defensive end behind Texas transfer Justice Finkley, whereas Harris most likely provides another option on the weak side to go with starter Dean Miller, after fellow edge rusher Bai Jobe became the only player to leave KU during the spring portal window.