photo by: AP Photo/Michael Thomas

Texas edge defender Justice Finkley plays during the first half of an NCAA football game against Rice, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Austin, Texas.

Texas edge rusher Justice Finkley is transferring to Kansas, his representation from A&P Sports Agency confirmed to the Journal-World on Monday morning.

The addition of Finkley, the Jayhawks’ 22nd commitment in the winter transfer portal window, fills the last remaining major offseason need for KU on defense, which was strong-side defensive end.

The Jayhawks had a glaring vacancy at the position after their top three run-stopping ends Jereme Robinson, Dylan Wudke and Ronald McGee all exhausted their eligibility, and at a listed 6-foot-2, 250 pounds, Finkley should have the size to step in at that spot.

Finkley was ranked just outside of the top 100 in the class of 2022 as a high school prospect from Trussville, Alabama, and played extensively in three years at Texas, where he saw 529 defensive snaps in total, according to Pro Football Focus, though his playing time decreased significantly during the 2024 season. In all, he tallied 26 career tackles with 2.5 sacks in his 32 games played.

As recently as Jan. 5, 247Sports had reported that Georgia Tech was in pole position for Finkley, and that he was slated to visit Minnesota and West Virginia. Instead, KU won the battle for the rising senior.

Finkley is the second addition for the Jayhawks at defensive end this offseason, following Kentucky transfer Caleb Redd. As a young prospect, Redd appeared a more direct replacement for the highly touted DJ Warner, who left for SMU; Finkley, meanwhile, will be playing his final year of eligibility in Lawrence in 2025.

Other key players returning for KU at defensive end including second-team all-conference weak-side starter Dean Miller, as well as rising redshirt sophomore Bai Jobe and redshirt freshman Dakyus Brinkley. Dylan Brooks will also be back after missing the entire 2024 season due to injury, and Adrian Holley joins the fold as an incoming freshman in the class of 2025.