Lucas Smalls-Allen, a 6-foot-4, 260-pound three-star defensive tackle from Blessed Trinity Catholic High School in Roswell, Georgia, announced his commitment to Kansas football’s 2026 recruiting class on Friday morning.
He becomes KU’s second defensive tackle in the class, joining recent addition Carter. The pair will be joined on the defensive line by ends Hunter Higgins and Draeden Punt.
Smalls-Allen is the 19th member of the 2026 class and could be the last for a while, as the Jayhawks hosted relatively few uncommitted visitors in June—largely because they had already secured the bulk of their commitments earlier in the year.
He is also the only Georgia native in the class, following last year’s addition of wide receiver Jackson Cook from the same state.
As a junior, Smalls-Allen posted impressive numbers: 71 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, and two forced fumbles, per 247Sports. He’s also a state qualifier in the shot put.
He chose KU over Wake Forest and UCF, the other two Power Five programs to offer him. Kansas extended its offer in May while pursuing a second defensive tackle after losing Landen Anderson. The Jayhawks ultimately landed both Carter and Smalls-Allen in quick succession.
With his commitment, KU’s summer recruiting activity may slow down. The program recently missed out on another key target, Great Bend tight end Ian Premer—the top prospect in Kansas—who committed to Notre Dame over both in-state schools and Iowa State.
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