The Kansas Jayhawks are nearly rounding the corner on the 2026 campaign, with the goal of bowl eligibility taped to the top of the wants this season.
This offseason has been one filled with massive changes from top to bottom, from the rehiring of associate head coach Andy Kotelnicki to the massive flux of transfers in and out of the program to the several new assistants and analysts added. All of it has culminated in a new-look team.
So new-look that it took until Thursday afternoon for the Jayhawks to announce their starting quarterback, Isaiah Marshall.
However, despite all this chopping and changing, according to head coach Lance Leipold, there is still one position group that is appearing to stand above the rest as the Jayhawks wrap up fall camp.
Leipold has been most impressed with the defensive end corps
“I would say our defensive end position, one that's really kind of stood out to me in the depth that we have there, the play that we're getting. That one's really been one I've really been pleased with,” quoted Leipold at Hawk Talk earlier this month.
According to depth chart website Ourlads, the Jayhawks are set to enlist Alex Bray at left defensive end, Leroy Harris III at right defensive end, with Dakyus Brinkley backing up Harris and David Santiago backing up Bray. Below will be a short excerpt on what they each offer KU.
Alex Bray: Bray is one of the many transfers Jayhawks have enlisted, having played two seasons at Illinois before making the move ahead of the 2025 season. Last season, Bray totaled 21 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss.
Leroy Harris III: Harris broke out as one of the Big 12’s top defensive ends following just one season with the Jayhawks. Harris finished as a Big 12 Honorable Mention that went along with 31 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. Harris came to the Jayhawks after just one impressive season at Chattanooga.
Dak Brinkley: Brinkley is one of Kansas’ highest-rated recruits to walk through the confines of David Booth Kansas Memorial. After redshirting his freshman season, Brinkley notched 15 total tackles with a strong 5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. If the Jayhawks can get the best out of Brinkley he could very easily end up fulfilling the heights one sat out for him.
David Santiago: Santiago opened his career at Air Force and after a stellar 2024 season, made the move to Michigan State, where he continued his ascent. Santiago finished last season with 24 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and 1 forced fumble.
While this talent likely won’t pop any AP All-American talent, the four can flex one of the deepest defensive edge groups in the conference, with each player showing several moments of bright play over previous seasons.
The group's first chance to get after someone not in a KU practice jersey is September 4, up against the LIU Sharks.
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