By no means did the Kansas Jayhawks have a stellar 2025 season. Two new coordinators in D.K. McDonald (defensive coordinator) and Jim Zebrowski (offensive coordinator), both struggled to find consistent success on either side of the ball, leading to an eventual 5-7 record, which was once propelled to a 4-2 start.
When the NCAA Transfer Portal opened following the disappointing season, a wave of transfers hit the program, with some big-time starters following along. The biggest was the announcement that linebacker Trey Lathan would be leaving the program. That was, however, until minutes ago when Lathan announced he would be returning on socials.
Locked in. 🔒 https://t.co/6zYSOcPPXs
— Kansas Football (@KU_Football) January 15, 2026
In Lathan’s only season with the Jayhawks, he totaled a team-leading 86 tackles, with 1.5 sacks, and 51 solo tackles. While Kansas’ defense suffered with the 95th worst total defense, allowing 409.5 yards, Lathan usually looked the most stable linebacker.
ESPN’s own Max Olson went as far as to say during the midseason that Lathan was a transfer hit, having already transferred from West Virginia.
While there will inevitably be a shakeup, as Kansas allowed 28.5 points per game (a mark that cannot be repeated), Lathan was hardly in the crossfire.
According to 247Sports, all of the remaining three linebackers who entered the portal have found new homes. JaCorey Stewart is committed to FIU, Logan Brantley joins Boise State, and Joseph Sipp Jr. is set to head to FAU.
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