By JUSTIN BURKHARDT
TopSports.news
DeShawn Hanika has had quite the journey since graduating in 2018 from Hayden, where he won a state title in basketball and posted over 1,000 receiving yards his senior year in football.
After stops at Butler County Community College and Iowa State, where he posted 17 catches for 244 yards and four touchdowns his junior season, the 6-foot-6, 255-pound tight end is coming home to Kansas to finish out his collegiate career.
DeShawn Hanika has commited to Kansas to play his final season of college football. [X photo]
“My journey has been one of a kind,'' Hanika said. "It has been full of challenges and blessings and I wouldn’t change any of it for the world.
“I am grateful to have had some of the best coaches along my journey and I’ve learned so much from each one and made relationships with those coaches that will last forever.”
With the decision made to come to Kansas, Hanika hopes to replace Mason Fairchild, who had over 1,000 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns in his Jayhawk career.
“Replacing Mason will be a challenge but I’m excited for it,'' Hanika said. "My whole life I’ve had nothing but challenges and I'm looking forward to this new challenge
“I’m excited to play for the hometown team and try to bring a Big 12 championship home to Lawrence, Kansas.”
Hanika chose the Jayhawks over Colorado, South Florida, and Houston.
“The players, coaching staff and being close to my family was the deciding factor, plus my fiancé said it was the first time she has seen me very happy in a long time when we where driving back from the visit,” Hanika said.
Hanika will have one season of eligibility left next season when he takes the field for Lance Leipold and the Jayhawks.
