photo by: AP Photo/Gregory Payan

West Virginia's Trey Lathan (19) in action against Pittsburgh during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Morgantown, W. Va.

Kansas has successfully replaced its top three linebacker spots, all of which were vacated following the 2024 season, now that West Virginia transfer Trey Lathan has joined the fold. Lathan signed with KU on Tuesday, according to multiple reports.

Lathan follows Bangally Kamara, formerly of Pittsburgh and South Carolina, and Joseph Sipp Jr., from Bowling Green, in joining the Jayhawks. Unlike his future teammates, who are entering their final collegiate season, Lathan has two years of eligibility remaining, as he will be a redshirt junior in 2025. The news of his signing was first reported by 247Sports.

A native of Goulds, Florida, who was a three-star prospect in 2022 as assessed by 247Sports and Rivals and a four-star on ESPN, the 6-foot-1, 226-pound Lathan started at middle linebacker in all 13 games for the Mountaineers in 2024 with 79 tackles, a pair of sacks and a forced fumble. His first starting experience came as a redshirt freshman the prior season, but he missed the majority of the campaign after suffering a broken tibia and fibula in WVU’s victory at TCU, the fifth game of the season. Lathan also played extensively on special teams during his time at West Virginia.

He entered the portal soon after playing for the Mountaineers in the Miami Beach Bowl following the firing of head coach Neal Brown. Miami and Nebraska were among the other programs with reported interest in Lathan.

With Kamara, Sipp and Lathan in the fold, along with returnees like Jayson Gilliom at the hybrid Hawk position, the Jayhawks may ultimately be better situated at linebacker than they were in 2024.

Other players slated to return include Logan Brantley, Tristian Fletcher and JaCorey Stewart.

The Jayhawks are now up to 19 additions in the transfer portal, with strong-side defensive end and punter the most salient remaining needs.