In this world of collegiate athletics, it is so easy for relationships on both sides to feel transactional. For coaches, they may lament over a player leaving their program for a bigger opportunity elsewhere. All while also chasing that opportunity themselves.
For a moment in the early bits of the offseason, it felt like that was going to happen to Kansas transfer linebacker Tre Lathan.
Lathan himself moved from West Virginia to the Jayhawks ahead of last season, where he starred in a defense that was anything but consistent.
Last Fall, the Jayhawks struggled mightily to stop opponents from doing anything. KU gave up 28.5 points per game, which measured out to 85th-worst in the country. Kansas also had the country’s 105th-worst rushing defense (184.1) and the 68th-worst passing defense (225.4). All of this figured into the No. 95 total defense that allowed 409.5 yards per outing.
Lathan was heralded as a bright spot in a struggling defense that, with the right pieces around him, could flourish, but instead it looked like Lathan was set to depart through the NCAA Transfer Portal.
However, days later, Lathan withdrew from the portal and all of a sudden, Kansas had a key player right back in the fold.
During Big 12 Media Days earlier this month, Lathan spoke on the situation.
“Stepping out on my team is something in my heart that I just couldn't do”
When asked what led him to return, the redshirt senior answered, “Just the scheme and a lot of things…I feel like, you know, stepping out on my team is something in my heart that I just couldn't do. So I just decided to return”
The Jayhawks understood that they had to properly set themselves up around Lathan as KU enlisted 30 eligible transfers for next season, including 15 on defense, and four linebackers in,
Jibreel Al-Amin, Daveon Crouch, Jaron Willis and Quincy Davis.
According to 247Sports, Kansas’ portal class finished 53rd overall, and 13th out of a possible 16 in the Big 12. When looking at average imported grades, KU finished 53rd in that metric as well reeling in an average of an 85.48-graded recruit.
Last season, Lathan finished with 86 tackles, including seven tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Lathan finished as a Third-Team All-Big 12 Honorable Mention member of a KU team that finished 5-7. Completing back-to-back seasons without a bowl game to show for it.
Lathan was one of 10 different Jayhawks to be nominated for Big 12 awards; however, only wideout Emmanuel Henderson Jr. and punter Finn Lappin were actually selected and not honorable mentions.
Kansas’ 2025 campaign finished with a 1-5 slide after a 4-2 start. Against power-conference opponents, the Jayhawks gave up 307 points. In two different matchups last season, Lance Leipold’s side gave up 42 points. Cumulatively, KU ended with six games where they allowed at least 30 points.
Next season’s 2026 slate will be filled with several hiccups, including a trip overseas for the Union Jack Classic, along with games against Utah, BYU, Missouri and, of course, Kansas State.
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