photo by: Missy Minear/Kansas Athletics

Kansas assistant Brandon Shelby talks to cornerback Austin Alexander during fall camp in Lawrence on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.

The biggest issue for cornerback Austin Alexander early in his Kansas career, as defensive backs coach Brandon Shelby puts it, was his ability to “stay healthy.”

Not so much in the traditional sense of that phrase as it’s used in football — although Alexander did miss time during his true freshman season due to a broken wrist — but with regard to his nutrition and strength.

“You got to do a good job (with) things you put in your body, keeping your weight so that you can play a 12-, 13-game season,” Shelby said. “And so, at the end of the day, that’s what we got to keep just preaching to him.”

Part of why that’s particularly important for Alexander this year is that he finds himself higher in the pecking order among KU’s cornerbacks. With Cobee Bryant and Mello Dotson off to the NFL, Alexander is one of a variety of young defensive backs and incoming transfers vying for playing time.

Maybe it’s a good sign for him, then, that head coach Lance Leipold remembers giving similar instructions to Bryant and Dotson about taking care of their bodies early in their careers.

“Probably the biggest thing is the nutrition,” Alexander said. “Miss Katie (O’Connor) and the nutrition staff, they help a lot, I just got to keep stacking … It’s been up and down. I can hold some weight, sometimes I can’t. But overall, I’m going to get there.”

He’s had his ups and downs off the field, but the arrow is pointing up for Alexander more generally. When KU tracks its players in various performance metrics, “his numbers are all real high,” Leipold said.

“He’s got a great skill set, blocked a field goal in our live scrimmage the other day,” Leipold said on Aug. 8. “He’s done a lot of good things. Very pleased with him.”

Alexander came in as part of a big cornerback class for KU, the 2024 group that also included Jalen Todd — a likely starter this season — and Aundre Gibson. Alexander was one of the better-regarded freshmen in the overall class as a four-star prospect (per Rivals and ESPN) out of Hazel Crest, Ill.

“We’ve been excited about Austin since the day he arrived on campus, and seeing this summer and how much he continues to fill out and things is very exciting as well,” Leipold said in July.

He showed up weighing in the high 160s, he said last week; he’s now about 180 pounds. Compared to his true freshman campaign, though, his most significant growth thus far may be in his overall understanding of the game, “knowing the play calls and playing faster because I know what to do out there.”

“I know the defense now, so I don’t have to (think), ‘Oh wait, am I doing it right?'” he said. “So that’s probably the best.”

He’s built up that knowledge by spending time in the film room, studying offenses’ tendencies.

Alexander said he spoke to Bryant and Dotson prior to the start of fall camp, and they advised him to keep pushing each day — much as they are with their new NFL teams.

But even with those two stars gone, he’s found sources of veteran advice on this year’s roster. Of Utah State transfer D.J. Graham II, who has been banged up at times during camp (in a sense creating more opportunities for Alexander), he said, “He helps me see the whole picture when he’s not even on the field.” Of Georgia Tech transfer Syeed Gibbs, a summertime addition, Alexander said, “He’s been helping with press-man technique and giving little tips that he brought from previous (stops).”

The Jayhawks will be hoping it all pays off down the line.

“Sometimes we tell Austin I don’t know if he fully understands how good he can be someday,” Leipold said.

“It feels good hearing that from Coach Leipold,” Alexander added. “I just got to keep stacking days and see where that gets me.”

photo by: Mike Gunnoe/Special to the Journal-World

Kansas cornerback Austin Alexander catches the ball during fall camp on Monday, August 5, 2024, in Lawrence.