Rehabbing Kenny Logan Jr. is living in the moment during KU football’s spring ball

LAWRENCE — Other than the fact he’s recovering from shoulder surgery, Kenny Logan Jr. has enjoyed the fact he’s back with Kansas football for one last year.

Logan has found himself soaking in certain moments as he’s been able to walk around campus. Logan, who’ll be a senior safety again for the Jayhawks in 2023, has been able to be around his Kansas teammates once more during what is set to be his last spring ball with the program. Even the opportunities to walk into Allen Fieldhouse to watch some basketball have stuck out to him.

But just because Logan could dwell on the fact he has to make his way back from injury, in his fifth and final year playing college football, doesn’t mean he is. It doesn’t mean his limited availability will keep him from trying to improve as the team’s spring session continues. Logan is trying to live in the moment as it all transpires.

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“Really, just get better off the field,” Logan said when asked about his goals. “Become a better football player. Become a better leader, and really like a coach. Just try to make sure that I’m influencing the guys around me to get better, pushing myself, challenging myself mentally to make sure that I’m staying focused and locked in and in tune with everything going on.”

The goals Logan has for this spring came both from his own desires and that of the coaching staff. Those discussions have played a part in what he’s focusing on. Whether it’s rehab or watching film or something else, Logan is committed to improving.

Kansas safety Kenny Logan Jr. celebrates after a play during a game at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium against TCU on Oct. 8.

Last season, as the Jayhawks went to their first bowl game since 2008, Logan started 12 of their 13 games. He led the team in tackles, again, and finished tied for second in interceptions. But there’s a desire to not be complacent, as head coach Lance Leipold, director of sports performance Matt Gildersleeve and more have preached in recent days.

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Leipold is looking for Logan to get involved in some areas on special teams they’ll both want him for in the fall, and want him to be capable in when it comes to Logan’s professional career. Leipold is looking for Logan to spend time developing in ways Logan couldn’t as much if Logan was 100% healthy. As they move past spring break, that’ll all become more possible.

“(Logan) kind of stands back there with me a lot and stands on the sideline and helps with signaling and that kind of stuff,” defensive coordinator Brian Borland said. “But, it’s trying to help guys like that. Just, hey, stay engaged. Keep learning. You can’t really do all the physical parts right now, but there’s a mental part in the game as well.”

Taking advantage of the opportunity to excel there could do a lot for Logan’s chances to embark on a professional career. It could do a lot for Kansas’ chances at making back-to-back bowl games for the first time since 2007-08. Logan’s return is one that always had the potential to provide a mutual benefit.

It’s too soon to tell what a successful 2023 season would mean for Logan, but 2022 is already an example of what’s possible for a Jayhawks player. Both Lonnie Phelps Jr. and Earl Bostick Jr., valuable members of last season’s team, ended up receiving invitations to the 2023 NFL combine. Logan could be next.

Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He is the National Sports Media Association’s sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas for 2022. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kenny Logan Jr. lives in the moment, KU football spring ball continues