After three years with the Longhorns, Justice Finkley is heading back to the Big 12. The former Texas edge rusher announced on Monday he was joining the Kansas Jayhawks.
He has one year of eligibility left and is seekng more playing time on a Kansas team coming off an up-and-down 2024 campaign.
Finley recorded 26 total tackles and 2 1/2 sacks during his time at Texas. While his playing time was limited, the Alabama native is only one year removed from his best season, in which he recorded 14 total tackles and two sacks. With the Jayhawks, he will have the opportunity to surpass those numbers.
While his time at Texas didn’t go as planned, Finley was heavily recruited out of high school. Before signing with Texas, he received offers from some of the top programs in the country, including LSU, Georgia, Michigan, Alabama, Texas A&M, Oregon and Penn State. He was a four-star recruit.
Texas EDGE Justice Finkley is expected to transfer to Kansas, his agency @APSportsAgency told ESPN.
Jayhawks adding the former No. 103 recruit in the 2022 ESPN 300. pic.twitter.com/Ei0YioB58J
— Max Olson (@max_olson) January 13, 2025
Finkley is joining a Kansas team that ended the season on fire after a slow start. The Jayhawks entered November with a 2-6 record before beating three ranked teams. Two of those wins came on the road.
Although Finkley will have to learn a new playbook, he is no stranger to Kansas. During his time with Texas, he faced the Jayhawks twice. If he can meet expectations, the Kansas defense should get a boost.