Kansas offensive linemen Michael Ford Jr., Mike Novitsky sign NIL deals with Rusty Taco

On the field, Michael Ford Jr. and Mike Novitsky are teammates.

The two Kansas offensive linemen followed head coach Lance Leipold from Buffalo to Lawrence. They’ve both emerged as starters, protecting quarterbacks Jalon Daniels and Jason Bean.

On Wednesday night, the two linemen will be going head-to-head in a Taco Showdown, part of their new NIL deal with Rusty Taco. A chain restaurant with locations in 12 states, Ford and Novitsky will be promoting the launch of Rusty’s Buffalo Chicken Nachos.

As part of the Taco Showdown, the linemen will attempt to eat all 13 of Rusty’s tacos. The event starts at 7 p.m. from the restaurant’s location in Lawrence, a few blocks from campus. Along with Wednesday night’s showdown, Ford and Novitsky will participate in more promotions and appearances in the next few weeks.

Team IFA brokered the deal between the Kansas linemen and the taco restaurant. The agency has started to build out its NIL roster, working with names like Nebraska EDGE Chief Borders, Boise State quarterback Taylen Green and LSU EDGE Jaxon Howard.

Kansas preps for No. 6 Oklahoma

A preseason All-Big 12 First-Team pick, Novitsky has played 434 snaps this season and has graded out at 145th in the country, according to Pro Football Focus. His run-blocking grade ranks in the top 90 in the nation, too.

Ford, now in his third year with the Jayhawks, has pieced together the past start to a season in his college career. The guard has graded out at 77.1 through 389 snaps in seven games, per PFF. Swapping between left and right guard, Ford has allowed two sacks.

The Jayhawks are 5-2, coming off of a bye week after dropping a road contest to Oklahoma State in Week 7. No. 6 Oklahoma visits David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium this weekend, slated for a 12 p.m. ET kickoff.

“They have weapons all over the place,” Leipold said earlier this week. “So that’s the challenge. And I think where they’ve taken the next big step is defensively, the improvement. They used the portal very well and created a lot of depth across the board. And again, I am extremely impressed with their defensive team speed as well.”