Tonight saw the eruption of two former Kansas stars during week two of the 2025 NFL preseason.
Quentin Skinner and Luke Grimm each stole the show
Skinner started things off with a smooth touchdown as he reeled in an awry pass from Brady Cook which forced Skinner to extend in the end zone making a diving play to score the New York Jets' only touchdown of their 31-12 preseason loss to the New York Giants.
One-handed grab for 6️⃣ by Quentin Skinner!
— NFL (@NFL) August 17, 2025
Watch on @NFLNetwork
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/b9w6YSRTi5
That wasn't all though from Skinner, the Kansas product notched 48 yards on four catches, tying fellow wideout Brandon Smith in leading the Jets with reception yards.
Luke Grimm on the other hand made his own show-stopping play. With 12:36 to go in the fourth quarter, the Los Angeles Rams were forced to punt the ball away against the stout Los Angeles Chargers defense. Ethan Evans boomed a 51-yard punt to Grimm, who maneuvered himself towards the left sideline after catching the ball towards the right, this off sat the Rams special teams defense as Grimm then found himself escorted by a number of blockers as the former Jayhawk was able to turn on the jets and hit the end zone untouched.
Luke Grimm takes it the distance on the punt return!
— NFL (@NFL) August 17, 2025
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/YhXnLOPa16
Grimm finished the night with a sole reception for six yards to follow his return, playing a pivotal part despite the Chargers' 23-22 loss against the Rams.
Careers at Kansas
Skinner, a rookie saw three very productive seasons under Lance Leipold, Skinner marked 1,584 yards and 11 touchdowns through the air in his career, averaging out to a clean 41.7 yards per game and 19.8 yards per catch.
Grimm, a fellow rookie and former team captain of the Jayhawks, saw action in five years at Kansas where Grimm totaled 177 receptions, 2,472 yards and 23 touchdowns, including three straight years with six touchdowns. Grimm managed a respectable 14 yards per catch and 46.6 yards per game during his five-year stint with Kansas.
What does this mean for the two rookies?
It is always hard for rookies to break through on an NFL roster, especially if you are undrafted free agents, like both Skinner and Grimm were following their careers at Kansas. Yet, each made a massive step forward today. For Grimm, he may carve out a spot as a possible punt returner on an NFL roster to go with his elite pass-catching ability. For Skinner, his ability to make jaw-dropping catches, like seen against the Giants, will draw a lot of attention and likely more targets.