Skip to main content
Through the Phog
Fansided

Kansas' recent recruiting spike is proof that the Jayhawks have not faded away

The Kansas Jayhawks are still raking in solid talent despite their recent results.
ByConnor Mardian|
Share on FacebookShare on XShare on Reddit
Google Discover
Nov 8, 2025; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Kansas Jayhawks head coach Lance Leipold against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Nov 8, 2025; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Kansas Jayhawks head coach Lance Leipold against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The Kansas Jayhawk football program always finds itself in an odd state. Because almost no matter what Lance Leipold is able to do on the gridiron, it will pale in comparison to whatever is going on inside Allen Fieldhouse. 

Even in seasons where you could compare the program’s mood and even favor that KU football is in a better space for the time being, it doesn’t then mean that Kansas University then becomes a football school. 

That can be a hard sell to recruits across the nation. It can be even harder when you factor in that prior to Leipold’s arrival in 2022, Kansas had won 21 games over the last 11 seasons, essentially solidifying the school as a bottom-dweller in power-conference football.

All recruiting rankings used below are from 247Sports. 

Despite all that, Leipold has consistently been able to pip talent across the nation, with a usual four-star signing headlining respective classes. For example, in Kansas’ 2026 class is four-star offensive tackle Kaden Snyder; in years prior, edge rusher Adrian Holley and edge D.J. Warner were the top dogs of their own class. 

After this weekend, the Jayhawks have gotten their 2027 class off to a fantastic start, signing seven players, including edge Clarence Johnson Jr. defensive lineman Quentin Dorsey, wide receivers Maliek Brown, Tavares Powell and Jay Williams, cornerback Nazir Pitchford and athlete Elliot Neff, to bring up their national recruiting ranking to No. 33 in the nation and No. 3 in the Big 12. 

What these rankings mean right now?

Let’s make it clear, there is never a bad time to load a class, so doing it in early June is not a problem, but if you are someone who takes stock in class rankings, then it is worth noting that several of the nation’s powerhouses are still in the early phases of their recruitments. 

For example, SEC side LSU are currently ranked No. 46, Tennessee, No. 41 and Indiana, No. 40. In all likelihood, as the recruiting season wears on, their classes, which currently comprise 8,12 and 11 recruits, will grow in numbers and likely surpass the Jayhawks.

If you rank classes based on their average ratings, Kansas would fall 10 spots to the No. 43 in the country, which still posts a very good class for a team that has gone for back-to-back bowl-less seasons. 

Last season, for example, Kansas ranked No. 62 in average talent for its 2026 recruiting class, which finished with an 86.56 rating. So far in the 2027 class, Kansas is currently stabilized at an 86.60. 

Kansas’ 2026 freshman class totaled 19 newcomers, and as of publishing, this iteration of the Jayhawks is currently at 16, led by three-star tight end Mason Oglesby, the No. 8 player from Indiana. 

In KU’s class sit 11 offensive players and six defensive players; this offensive-heavy class is possibly due to Kansas’ rehiring of former associate head coach Andy Kotelnicki to the same role. Bringing a proven winner like Kotelnicki back to the program will serve as a key factor in Kansas’ recruiting efforts.

More Kansas Football News

Add us as a preferred source on Google
Home/Kansas Jayhawks Football