Lance Leipold made some big moves during the offseason this year, adding a few critical pieces to his roster ahead of the 2025 season. Now, the Kansas squad is going to look very different than it did last year, but that might be exactly what the Jayhawks need.
There are a few returning starters, including quarterback Jalon Daniels as well as defensive tackles D.J. Withers and Tommy Dunn Jr. Beyond a handful of those key returners, fans may have to refer to their rosters when a Jayhawk makes a big play.
Projected Kansas two-deep depth chart after spring window closes
Offense
QB: Jalon Daniels, Cole Ballard
Last season, Daniels struggled to find his footing as he led the Jayhawk offense, throwing 12 interceptions and just 14 touchdowns. However, his dual-threat capabilities and an extra year of experience make him a lock for the starting quarterback.
RB: Leshon Williams, Daniel Hishaw Jr.
Leshon Williams hit the transfer portal after three seasons with the Iowa Hawkeyes and added some much-needed experience to the Kansas running back room. More likely than not, Williams will get the nod over returning RB Daniel Hishaw Jr.
X-WR: Bryson Canty, Levi Wentz
The wideout position is one that Leipold added a lot of talent to during the offseason, which is something the Jayhawks desperately needed. Two transfers, Bryson Canty and Levi Wentz, are most likely to play the split receiver position.
Z-WR: Emmanuel Henderson Jr., Keaton Kubecka
Another addition to the WR room this spring was senior Emmanuel Henderson Jr., who started his collegiate career with the Alabama Crimson Tide. Now, he will likely start for Kansas and be supported by returning redshirt sophomore Keaton Kubecka.
Slot-WR: Cam Pickett, Doug Emilien
One of the biggest pick-ups for Leipold was slot receiver Cam Pickett, who the Jayhawks snagged from the transfer portal after he played just one season for Ball State. Pickett will most likely start ahead of returning redshirt senior Doug Emilien.
TE: DeShawn Hanika, Leyton Cure
There was a mass exodus from the tight end room of the Kansas football program as many of the stars at the position reached the end of their eligibility. Now, returning redshirt seniors DeShawn Hanika and Leyton Cure will probably be TE1 and TE2.
LT: Calvin Clements, Jack Tanner
Last year, redshirt freshman Calvin Clements earned a few snaps at left tackle, and that trend will most likely continue for the young offensive lineman. Leipold will turn to transfer sophomore Jack Tanner, who transferred to Kansas from Tulsa.
LG: James Livingston, Tavake Tuikolovatu
James Livingston is a redshirt junior who is returning for the Kansas offensive line, and despite Tavake Tuikolovatu transferring into the program, Livingston will probably get the nod ahead of the Jayhawks' new teammate.
C: Bryce Foster, Tyler Mercer
Similarly to the left guard position, Tyler Mercer transferred to Kansas during the offseason but will, more likely than not, have to wait in the wings behind returning redshirt senior Bryce Foster.
RG: Kobe Baynes, Amir Herring
Right guard is one of the few positions that isn't filled to the brim with transfer talents. Because of that, returning redshirt senior Kobe Baynes will get the start ahead of returning redshirt sophomore Amir Herring.
RT: Nolan Gorczyca, DeAndre Harper
The final addition to the Kansas offensive line was sophomore DeAndre Harper from Northwest Missouri State. Harper will back up returning redshirt senior Nolan Gorczyca.
Defense
DE: Dean Miller, Justice Finkley
Leipold gained a defensive menace when he picked up defensive end Justic Finkley, who will most likely support returning defensive end Dean Miller. Last season, Miller earned 32 tackles, six sacks, and three pass deflections as he started for the Jayhawks.
BUCK: Joseph Sipp Jr., Trey Lathan
Playing the "buck" hybrid role, which combines the duties of linebacker and defensive end, will probably be transfers Joseph Sipp Jr. and Trey Lathan, who joined the Kansas roster this spring and brought a lot of quality experience to the defensive unit.
DT: DJ Withers, Gage Keys
Barring anything tragic happening ahead of the season, returning senior DJ Withers, who started last season, will get the nod at starting defensive tackle. Transfer redshirt senior Gage Keys, who came to Kansas by way of the Auburn Tigers, will play the supporting role at defensive tackle.
NT: Tommy Dunn, Blake Herold
Tommy Dunn and Blake Herold will move up the depth chart, and Jayhawk fans will most likely see redshirt senior Dunn earn the starting role ahead of redshirt sophomore Herold.
M-LB: Joseph Sipp Jr., Jayson Gilliom
Jayson Gilliom is a returning redshirt senior for the Jayhawks' linebacker room. However, Gilliom will probably be usurped for the starting role by transfer senior Joseph Sipp, who started his collegiate career with three years for the Bowling Green Falcons.
W-LB: Bangally Kamara, Trey Lathan
Leipold added Bangally Kamara and Trey Lathan to the linebacker depth chart this offseason, Kamara coming from South Carolina and Lathan coming from West Virginia. As the two find their footing within the Kansas defensive unit, they will likely trade snaps at the weak-side linebacker position.
F-CB: DJ Graham, Jahlil Hurley
Two more transfers to the Kansas depth chart are cornerbacks D.J. Graham and Jahlil Hurley. The two transfers will likely play supporting roles for each other, switching out every few snaps–unless one player makes leaps and bounds to stand out during fall camp.
B-CB: Jalen Todd, Jameel Croft
Returning defensive backs Jalen Todd and Jameel Croft didn't start for the Jayhawks last fall, but Todd will likely earn the start over Croft due to him having more in-game experience at the collegiate level.
STAR: Syeed Gibbs, Mason Ellis
Playing a more hybrid role at the "star" position, combining cornerback and safety duties, transfer redshirt junior Syeed Gibbs, who played two seasons at Rhode Island and one season at Georgia Tech, will likely earn the start. Returning redshirt junior Mason Ellis will probably earn the backup role.
S: Lyrik Rawls, Devin Dye
Over three seasons for the Oklahoma State Cowboys, safety Lyrik Rawls earned 67 total tackles, four pass deflections, one interception, one forced fumble, and one sack. With that state line, it's hard to deny him the starting role over returning defensive back Devin Dye.
BS: Taylor Davis, Jalen Dye
After earning 33 total tackles and one pass deflection last season, Taylor Davis will most likely step into the starting role at free safety. Jalen Dye (yes, Devin Dye's brother) will, more likely than not, support Davis at the position.