Kansas football lands top in-state QB prospect in 2026 class

The Kansas coaching staff is off to a promising start with its recruiting efforts in the 2026 class after landing a commitment from one of the top players in the Sunflower State earlier this week.

Quarterback Jaylen Mason out of Wichita announced his commitment to KU on social media yesterday. By the look of his announcement, it appears Mason grew up a Jayhawk fan as a kid.

The 6-foot-2, dual-threat quarterback is rated as a three-star prospect and the ninth best high school player in Kansas, according to Rivals.com. Mason chose the Jayhawks over reported offers from Iowa State and Liberty and became the first player in the 2026 class to commit to head coach Lance Leipold and KU.

Kansas quarterbacks coach Jim Zebrowski appears to have played a key role in Mason’s recruitment.

“They've always treated me like a priority and they're down to earth,” Mason told Jayhawkslant.com. “It just feels like a family environment. So that was a big factor in my commitment as well as Coach Z. He's a great quarterback coach and I'd love to wrap that Kansas across my chest playing one of the biggest stages nationally.”

Mason has been one of many in-state targets on the recruiting trail for Leipold and his staff. That includes Mason’s Wichita Northwest teammate Johnmichael Fountain, a three-star linebacker rated as the No. 3 player in Kansas. Fountain holds offers from KU, KSU, Missouri, Nebraska, and Iowa State.

With Mason’s commitment now in the fold, Leipold and staff can target other positions of need in the 2026 class. However, getting a commitment from the best quarterback in the state is a good way to start.