LAWRENCE, Kansas – For the first time in over five seasons, Kansas football will lack the veteran leadership of Jalon Daniels under center. With the new season approaching, the Jayhawks are not only left without Daniels, but also an identity.
Save the NIL fighting for a QB. Cole Ballard might just be the answer
Current Kansas backup Cole Ballard has been around since 2023. Now entering his junior season with the Jayhawks, he hasn’t been shy.
In Kansas’ 38–14 loss to Iowa State, he did what Daniels couldn’t: find the end zone. Ballard threw the Jayhawks’ lone touchdown, a 21-yard strike to tight end Boden Groen. He finished 3-of-6 for 37 yards, marking his fourth game with at least a 50% completion rate and his second with three or more completions.
Ballard also started against Kansas State in 2023, leading three touchdown drives in place of Daniels and former starter Jason Bean. Following his 11-of-16, 162-yard performance, head coach Chris Klieman said that Ballard “changed the game.” The only problem – the Wildcats were led by former national champion Will Howard on the other side of the ball.
Even when the future seemed uncertain, Ballard didn’t hit the portal. That level of loyalty in the modern landscape deserves some applause.
Hishaw, Williams depart; Kansas looks to portal for running back help
Longtime starting running back Daniel Hishaw Jr. is another big name departing from the Jayhawks roster this offseason. According to 247 Sports, Hishaw was listed as a “departing senior” as his eligibility clock struck midnight.
University of Iowa transfer Leshon Williams will also exit, leaving two open spots in the running back room for Kansas to fill.
Two names stick out to me in the portal: Kansas State transfer Dylan Edwards and UConn’s Cam Edwards.
Last season at UConn, Edwards logged 199 carries for 1,132 yards and 14 touchdowns, marking his third straight year with at least 100 carries and 600 yards. His season-high 194 yards against Ball State highlighted one of four games in which he topped 100 yards and scored two or more touchdowns.
At Kansas State, Dylan Edwards played in just four games, three of which were losses. His season-high against UCF was overshadowed by sophomore Joe Jackson, who rushed 24 times for 293 yards in the 51–47 loss to Utah, setting a school record. Jackson, listed as a co-starter with Edwards, appeared in every game and finished last season with 169 carries for 911 yards, including three 100-yard games, back-to-back against Utah and Colorado.
A move to Kansas would allow the former Wildcats starter to play in-state while also lining up against his former team in the Sunflower Showdown. A jump for Cam would be his first to the power conference level after leading the Huskies to two consecutive bowl games.
Defense wins championships… just not last season
The Jayhawk defense wasn’t bad by any stretch of the imagination last season. During the 2025–26 campaign, Kansas gave up an average of 387 yards per game, also ranking 84th in the nation, giving up 4,646 yards.
Next season, Kansas will find themselves without second-leading tackler Lyrik Rawls. Alongside Rawls, six seniors depart from the defensive line: Kenean Caldwell, Tommy Dunn Jr., Justice Finkley, Dean Miller, Gage Keys, and Cole Petrus.
Rawls totaled 72 tackles, 56 solo, 16 assisted, and arguably the interception of the year, rotating 360 degrees in the air against Fresno State.
An emphasis on keeping sophomore Leroy Harris II and redshirt junior Trey Lathan from entering the portal would provide the Jayhawks with veterans to build around.
HM: two Iowa State tight ends could fit Leipold’s scheme
The Kansas offense has a tendency to run through the tight ends. Just three hours north of Lawrence at Iowa State, both Benjamin Brahmer and Gabe Burkle entered their names in the portal.
A pickup of either former Cyclone would make the second Iowa State addition on offense since DeShawn Hanika joined the team in 2022.
But let’s not get it twisted, recruiting at tight end on a roster with Boden Groen, Carson Bruhn, and Leyton Cure would almost be frugal.
My Prediction
Assuming Kansas can fill the gaps and the newcomers find their place, the Jayhawks have a shot to claim bowl eligibility for the third time since 2020.
Given the circumstances, I see the Jayhawks finishing 6–6 with another mid-tier bowl game should they choose to participate.