The Kansas Jayhawks are suiting up for an all-important 6th season under head coach Lance Leipold.
And amongst all of the questions around just how far this team can go, all things will stop and start with the quarterback battle.
Now, unlike years past, Kansas can no longer rely on the likes of Jalon Daniels. With the fan-favorite away from the program, a new quarterback must step into the massive shoes Daniels left
The leading contenders for the gig are either redshirt sophomore Isaiah “Zeke” Marshall or redshirt junior Cole Ballard.
Both have limited experience on the field, but the pair logged numerous practice reps over the years, as Leipold revealed earlier this month.
While fans and pundits can speculate on which of the two should be starting next by the time LIU rolls around in September, linebacker Tre Lathan spoke during Big 12 Media Days about the situation and what each player offers the team.
Lathan breaks down the pros of each possible starter
“I mean, Cole Ballard, from a leadership standpoint, he definitely is uplifting us,” Lathan started last week. “Every day, every workout, that guy hasn't changed. Since even before I got there, I'm like, ‘Who is this dude?’ He's leading us in the workouts.”
Ballard enters this season with 445 career passing yards, including three touchdowns and four interceptions on a 55% passing rate. On the ground, Ballard has added 209 yards across 40 attempts.
Ballard’s biggest season thus far came in 2023 when he threw for 286 yards, going 20 of 36 with one touchdown and three interceptions.
“Zeke Marshall, he brings, like, a lot of juice, you know. He gives us life. And those guys, they're fighting every day.”
If you think Ballard lacks experience, get ready to be disappointed with Marshall’s time on the field. The 2025 campaign was his first, and he earned 28 passing yards on three passes. Marshall added 160 yards on the ground in just 15 attempts.
Marshall’s biggest highlight of the season came in an electrifying 43-yard rush in Kansas’ 38-21 win over Oklahoma State, their last of a 2025 season that ended in a 5-7 record
When will this battle be figured out?
Most schools at this point have a clear idea of who their No.1 guy is going to be, and maybe Leipold and returning associate head coach Andy Kotelnicki do as well, but Leipold and Co. have kept their thoughts quiet. The head coach has dished out balanced comments to both players, adding to the uncertainty.
Pundits can view this position battle through two different lenses. On one hand, the fact that both players are “fighting” for the top spot looks promising, creating the competition that hopefully drives the pair to new heights this season. However, on the other side of that coin sits a view that neither is really sticking out thus far.
Both seem to have strong merit, and until the preseason concludes, no one will really know.
More Kansas Jayhawk Football News
Add us as a preferred source on Google