On Monday, Kansas head coach Lance Leipold revealed that tight end DeShawn Hanika had suffered a season-ending injury, which continued a frustrating string of seasons for Kansas, where Hanika saw limited time thanks to his injury issues.
Minutes ago, Hanika posted this on X.
Absolutely love this team and university and I will forever be grateful for the great people of this community, it truly is different here! 🔴🔵#RoadToRecovery #RockChalk #PathToTheDraft pic.twitter.com/J4C857OPOA
— DeShawn Hanika (@DeShawnhanika) October 9, 2025
His message reads, “T -196 days until draft day, I owe it to myself to not give up on my dream and to attack this rehab process with everything I have! | love my teammates, coaches and support staff that have been there for me through these tough times! Extremely grateful for Coach Leipold and everything he has done for me from giving me the opportunity to come play at home to always sharing words of wisdom. I wouldn't change anything for the time I got to spend here and the people I got to meet and call teammates. I know my future son will have hundreds and people in that facility that he can call uncle! I Will do everything I can to help and support my brothers through the end of the season!”
This season Hanika had accumulated five games worth of action where he notched 10 receptions for 97 yards and three touchdowns.
The game Kansas fans will remember him most for is against Missouri in the Border Showdown, where Hanika fought for six receptions and 74 yards to go with two monster touchdowns. Hanika led all Jayhawks in receiving yards in that eventual 42-31 loss to the Tigers.
Prior to his transfer from Iowa State, in Hanika’s three years as a Cyclone, it was his 2022 season that stood out the most. Hanika finished with 17 receptions for four touchdowns and 244 yards.
Hanika missed his entire first season as a Jayhawk thanks to an injury he suffered in the Spring of 2024.