For what feels like the first time in more than a decade, there is genuine excitement and real expectations surrounding this year’s Kansas Jayhawks football team heading into the upcoming season.
It’s no surprise why.
In year two of the Lance Leipold era last year, the Jayhawks were the talk of the college football world after starting the season 5-0 and getting picked to host College GameDay for the first time in school history.
Kansas football eventually made it to their first bowl game appearance since 2008, and the program had finally built some momentum and hope for a brighter future heading into the offseason.
Much of the hope and optimism for this upcoming season is due to the amount of returning talent from last year’s roster, particularly on offense.
In fact, there is no team in the country who returns more offensive production (91%) from last season than the Jayhawks.
In total, KU returns return 17 of 22 starters from last year’s team, led by Jalon Daniels – the Big 12 Preseason Offensive Player of the Year and Preseason First Team All-Big 12 quarterback who was a legitimate Heisman Trophy contender up until his injury against TCU a season ago.
The Jayhawks’ offense also boasts the conference’s only returning 1,000-yard rusher from last year in running back Devin Neal – a fellow Preseason First Team All-Big 12 selection.
Neal will be rejoined this season by running back Daniel Hishaw Jr. The two backs formed a powerful combination last year before Hishaw was lost for the season following a hip injury in the Iowa State game.
In his five game appearances, Hishaw rushed for 262 yards and 5 touchdowns while averaging 6 yards per carry. That flash of production helped land Hishaw on this season’s Comeback Player of the Year Watch List.
Up front, KU returns four of their five offensive line starters from a season ago, including Preseason First Team All-Big 12 center Mike Novitsky. Dominick Puni will slide over from left guard to left tackle this year to backfill the spot left by Earl Bostick Jr. from a season ago, while Ar’maj Reed-Adams will start at left guard.
KU has the pleasure of welcoming back all of last year’s starters on the outside as well. At wide receiver, the Jayhawks return Luke Grimm, Quentin Skinner, and Lawrence Arnold as starters. Behind them are a trio of talented back-ups in Trevor Wilson, Doug Emilien, and Tanaka Scott.
KU is also fortunate to return all three of their top tight ends from a season ago, including 2022 Second Team All-Big 12 tight end Mason Fairchild, Trevor Kardell, and the sure-handed, fan-favorite Jared Casey.
This offense averaged nearly 36 points per game last year, which was 22nd in the country. With 10 of 11 starters back, a majority of back-up players returning, and another year of experience under their belts, there’s no reason why the KU offense can’t build on that success.
If they can, there’s a good chance this team could reach new heights in 2023.