Kansas quarterback competition brings uncomfortable truth into focus

As basketball season has come to a close, Kansas fans are able to turn their attention to the football field with spring practices officially beginning. After a 5-7 finish, just barely missing a bowl game, head coach Lance Leipold is ready to get back to the Jayhawks' winning ways just a few short years ago.

There are many new faces with Kansas this spring season, including running back Dylan Edwards and Rice quarterback transfer Chase Jenkins. The quarterback room will be the biggest thing fans are watching this season as Jalon Daniels is heading to the NFL.

Even so early in spring practices, the quarterback battle is beginning to take form between three guys: returning players Cole Ballard and Isaiah Marshall and Jenkins.

Jenkins is expected to be the starter for the Jayhawks, even after the late transfer in the winter, but it seems like the media doesn't have much hope for the quarterback room in Lawrence.

CBS Sports ranks Isaiah Marshall as worst QB in the Big 12 early in spring

While some believe Jenkins will win the quarterback battle in Lawrence, which is the most wide-open battle in the Big 12, CBS Sports believes Marshall will actually edge out both Ballard and the Rice transfer.

That may not seem like such a great thing, though, as CBS Sports released their early 2026 Big 12 quarterback rankings, and Marshall, as well as the others in the QB battle, landed at the bottom of the list.

Daniels was a huge part of Kansas' offense in 2025, and losing him seems like a complete rebuild for the Jayhawks, but Leipold seems confident in the guys he has in the room.

While Ballard was the backup to Daniels last season, it seems Marshall's playmaking ability could edge him out. Jenkins brings a lot of experience to Kansas, being the starter at Rice, but he has to find his way with the team. It should be an interesting battle that Kansas fans will want to watch closely as spring ball continues.