Kansas football: 5 things we have learned from Jayhawks fall camp

2. Tight end play will be the offense’s X-factor

Tight end is a position group that you can get away with being mediocre in college, but it is actually a strength for Kansas football. Coach Leipold has been praising them throughout fall camp, and the growth of Trevor Kardell has been a major talking point.

KU’s tight ends can do it all. They’ve excelled in both catching passes and blocking and could be sneaky good options for the offense.

We know what Kansas football is getting from its best offensive players, such as Jalon Daniels and Devin Neal. However, they usually keep two tight ends lined up to block for playmakers out in the open field. Their value could extend beyond blocking or being safety blankets for Daniels, as they have also shown playmaking ability.

Jaden Hamm, a 3-star local recruit who committed to KU’s 2023 class, is a redshirt candidate but could be a consistent starter by year two or three. Fairchild graduates after this season, but Kardell will have two years of eligibility remaining, so Kansas tight ends are in good shape for the coming years.