Over the weekend, the Kansas Jayhawks received an exciting update when three-star JUCO prospect Jowhar Franklin Jr. included them in his final three schools under consideration.
The Jayhawks, alongside the Iowa State Cyclones and Oklahoma State Cowboys, are now the only three programs remaining in the race for Franklin's commitment.
Franklin, who spent just one season with the Dodge City (CC) Conquistadors, played in nine games last season, amassing 19 total tackles (eight solo), two pass breakups, and one tackle for loss.
#AGTG🙏🏾 LETS GOOO!!! pic.twitter.com/1JljCZm1yD
— Jowhar Franklin Jr. (@JayFrank97_) June 21, 2025
In the JUCO transfer portal, Franklin is regarded as the No. 4 overall athlete and the No. 3 defensive lineman in the nation. When he announced that he would transfer from Dodge City to play at the next level, Franklin earned an impressive 18 offers, including from programs like Utah, NC State, and Cal.
Just a day before his announcement of the final three schools, he took an official visit with the Cowboys. So far, Franklin has yet to announce if he will take an OV with the Jayhawks or the Cyclones this summer.
While Franklin wouldn't join the Jayhawks before this fall, he would make an impressive addition to Kansas head coach Lance Leipold's rapidly improving class of 2026 recruits.
Kansas Jayhawks 2026 football recruiting class
- JJ Dunnigan, four-star wide receiver
- Kaden Snyder, four-star offensive tackle
- Hunter Higgins, three-star EDGE
- Draeden Punt, three-star EDGE
- Josh Galbreath, three-star linebacker
- Kory Amachree, three-star running back
- Corbin Glasco, three-star wide receiver
- Kaden Moody, three-star offensive tackle
- Na'kwaine Carter, three-star defensive lineman
- Nate Sims, three-star wide receiver
- Kevin Sullivan, three-star tight end
- Lennie Brown, three-star cornerback
- Jack Utz, three-star tight end
- Tyren Parker, three-star wide receiver
- Malachi Mills, three-star offensive tackle
- Joseph Credit, three-star linebacker
- Jaylen Mason, three-star quarterback
- Robert Reddick, three-star safety
So far, Leipold has landed 18 commitments from the class of 2026, most notably recruiting four-star prospects JJ Dunnigan and Kaden Snyder for his offensive unit. Kansas ranks 27th nationally for the recruiting cycle, a vast improvement from Leipold's 2025 class of recruits.