If you were asked to pick out two players who have been standouts so far this season for the Kansas Jayhawks, it shouldn’t take you long to land on edge rusher Leroy Harris III and wide receiver Nik McMillan.
Funnily enough, the pair are both transfers who have hit the ground running through Kansas’ 1-1 start.
They will also both need to be at their absolute best as the Jayhawks travel to take on Arizona State at the Union Jack Classic, which will take place overseas at the historic Wembley Stadium this Saturday.
Earlier this week, Kansas head coach Lance Leipold was asked about McMillan’s performances so far this season.
“Nik’s had an outstanding start of the season; it's been a huge impact. You know, it's interesting; it's where he kind of started spring ball for us last spring, and we need him to sustain that,” opened Leipold.
So far this season, McMillan has tallied 182 receiving yards to go alongside 2 touchdowns, leading KU in receiving yards, receptions (8) and receiving touchdowns. Against FCS side LIU in week one, McMillan reeled in 130 yards and 1 touchdown. Last Friday against the Missouri Tigers in the Border Showdown, he added another 52 yards.
McMillan is picking up where he left off
McMillan quickly became one of the nation’s most underrated talents at his last stop, Buffalo, having finished the 2025 campaign with 6-straight games of over 100 yards, including 7 total. McMillan ended 2025 with 981 yards and 3 touchdowns.
“He's a fine young man. He takes coaching, works hard, and with Cam Pickett kind of being slow, and not playing a lot. We really need him, as well as Nahzae Cox, and Keaton Kubecka, to rise to the occasion in Cam's absence. So, we need everyone, but right now, Nik has definitely emerged as a go-to guy.”
So far this season, Kansas’ wideouts have passed more tests than they have failed. While against the Tigers, KU only notched 168 passing yards, that had less to do with the wideouts and more with quarterback Isaiah Marshall’s shaky second start.
Beyond McMillan, Kansas’ top-two reception leaders are running back Dylan Edwards and Kubecka. Edwards has primarily been used in the flat as a checkdown or involved in screen plays.
Kubecka, meanwhile, has tallied 46 yards across 4 receptions for 11.5 yards per catch.
Where does McMillan fit for the rest of this season?
McMillan has shown an ability to catch balls at all three levels in his two games with the Jayhawks and he should be looked at as Kansas’ most dangerous wideout. While Pickett is a safe pair of hands and Cox has flashed so far, McMillan has quickly become the wideout that KU fans look for on every single pass thrown. Much like with Emmanuel Henderson Jr. last year.
McMillan and the rest of Kansas’ wideout corps will have to be at their absolute best against the Sun Devils as KU preps for an early start to Big 12 play. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. CT, with streaming available on Fox Sports 1.
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