One of Kansas’ biggest questions going into this season was how their offensive line was going to adapt after losing three stalwarts from the year prior in Kobe Baynes, Bryce Foster and Enrique Cruz Jr. and who was going to step up. Throughout the summer, several names were deemed to have had a good camp by the staff, but one name kept appearing the most: DeAndre Harper.
Harper opened his collegiate career at DII powerhouse Northwest Missouri State, where he played one season before making the move to the Jayhawks ahead of the 2025 season. Despite only playing in one game last season, Harper has thrown himself into the conversation for valuable minutes as the season goes on.
“…I thought he did a very solid job. He’s going to continue to get his opportunities,” opened head coach Lance Leipold to the media following Kansas’ 51-6 win over LIU.
Against the Sharks, the Jayhawks totaled 613 total yards, including 336 passing yards and 277 on the ground along with a stellar 8/13 on third downs. Harper was included on Kansas’ two-deep heading into last week at left guard behind Amir Herring.
With the Border Showdown well under a week away, in Kansas’ latest depth chart reveal, Harper was once again slotted behind Herring.
Kansas releases its Week 2 depth chart. pic.twitter.com/7gixzOWXX6
— Michael Swain (@MSwain247) September 7, 2026
“I think I've said in here before, he's probably the most improved football player on our team, and it's really a great thing to see a guy who's worked to change his body, increase his strength, but more importantly, the time he's put in to learn the game.”
Earlier in the presser, Leipold spoke about a meeting he had with other coaches on the team where they discussed that LIU was possibly the best team Harper had ever faced. That suggests Harper isn’t yet at the level of a consistent starter. However, that hasn’t stopped him off the field, with Leipold recalling an instance of Harper.
“And I remember walking, leaving this building, and he's sitting in the film room by himself in the evening, watching film, and that's impressive, and, you know, to see him pay off is pretty cool.”
The games only get harder from here
While there were several positives to take away from Kansas’ season opener, it is still worth dropping the caveat that this was only an FCS side and the Jayhawks will still have to take on the likes of two power-conference schools in No. 23 Missouri and Arizona State, before getting a light reprieve with a bye week and Middle Tennessee. The Blue Raiders open up a nine-game stretch for the Jayhawks to wrap up the season.
Up next for Kansas is the aforementioned daunting Border Showdown up against the Tigers in what will be only the second meeting between the two schools since 2011. Last season, when the two squared off a 42-31 thriller ensued, going the way of Eli Drinkwitz’s squad. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. CT on FOX. Missouri is currently days off of a 54-14 win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
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