Next season, the Kansas Jayhawks are set to field a team filled with question marks all the way from the quarterback to the secondary. Overall, the Jayhawks will be reeling in around 50 new players by the time next season starts. While most of the aforementioned 50 have seen promising game time elsewhere, there is no telling what is going to happen when the lights are at their brightest.
Athlon Sports’ 2026 Big 12 Football predictions piece tackled some of the biggest questions there are to face over next season's KU team.
Does it all start and stop with the quarterback?
Of course, in order to get back to bowl eligibility, it is going to take a strong quarterback under center.
Leading the pack right now appears to be redshirt junior Cole Ballard, with shouts of redshirt sophomore Isaiah Marshall. Neither is flush with starting experience. Most outlets tip Ballard as QB1, but there is still plenty of time for either to grab a starting spot. Steve Lassan of Athlon Sports points out that bringing back associate head coach Andy Kotelnicki will provide a production boost to that spot.
“Can Leipold get the Jayhawks back to a winning mark and a bowl in ‘26? Accomplishing that largely depends on how the offense reloads behind the winner of a three-man competition at quarterback with Chase Jenkins and Isaiah Marshall pushing Cole Ballard this fall. This unit should get a boost with the return of Andy Kotelnicki as play-caller.”
Marshall is an exciting young prospect who had his name called beyond garbage-time minutes as Kansas was trying to milk away any of their five wins from last season. On the ground, Marshall notched 160 yards for 10.7 per rush, often being thrown in during certain running packages where he provided plenty of data to prove his worth.
Kansas’ running back room is as clear as it is going to get
Transfer combo Yasin Willis and Dylan Edwards are set to continue the consistent running presence that has helped keep Kansas afloat under Lance Leipold. Willis comes from Syracuse at a staggering 6-foot-1 and finished last season with 558 yards on the ground and four touchdowns for 4.3 yards per carry. Willis also added 42 yards through the air on nine receptions.
Edwards, on the other hand, will be the team’s speedy and more dynamic option. Falling in at 5-foot-9. The 2025 campaign was a bit of a wash as Edwards hardly played and had left the team by early November with an injury that needed healing. But his 2024 season proved why Lassan emphasized his Willis’ combo as “promising”. In 2024, Edwards notched 546 yards and five touchdowns, with 133 receiving yards and two touchdowns to follow suit. Edwards’ 7.4 yards per carry led all running backs in the nation who had at least 70 attempts.
Kansas’ 2025 defense left a lot to desire
“Kansas has room to improve on defense after giving up 29.4 points per contest in Big 12 play last fall. The front has promise with end Leroy Harris III and linebacker Trey Lathan back, but the pass defense must improve after finishing ‘25 ranked No. 75 nationally in success rate,” finishes Lassan.
The Jayhawks struggled in most facets on the defensive end last season, while their passing yards allowed wasn’t terrible (No. 68 of 136 FBS teams), as Lassan mentioned it was a bend but don’t break set up. Of Kansas 30 transfers, 15 of them will be spread across the defense. Fortunately, the Jayhawks are reeling in tons of production, but if defensive coordinator D.K. McDonald doesn’t make the jumps necessary from last year, it will be hard to push Kansas much higher than 11th by the time next season comes to a close.
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