For the number of questions you can throw at the Kansas Jayhawks ahead of next season, you could also serve up the same amount of excitement. The Jayhawks have brought in one of their best freshman classes in recent history, with two five-stars in Tyran Stokes and Taylen Kinney joining the program, along with a high-scoring transfer class that is set to bring out the best in one another.Â
Today’s task is to delve into this talented incoming roster and point out some names that could finish the season with All-Big 12 shouts. However, while mulling over this list, you have to keep in mind the strength of the Big 12.Â
Over the last few seasons, the Big 12 has been churning out some of the game's best talent, programs and coaches. Last season saw Darryn Peterson, Flory Bidunga and Melvin Council Jr. all get nominated to certain teams, including the Newcomer Team, Freshman Team, Defensive Team, All-Big 12 Second and First Teams, and Honorable Mentions.
The Peripheral (Second Team, Third Team, Honorable Mention, Freshman Team, Newcomer Team)
The first names that come to mind when you discuss newcomers are Leroy Blyden Jr. and Dennis Parker Jr.Â
Blyden just finished an outstanding freshman season at Toledo, where the analytics and stats prove he may be on the fast track to becoming one of the nation’s best guards. The biggest problem with Blyden is his chemistry in the backcourt with Kinney. Early projections have the pair in a combo guard partnership, something Self loves; if that develops into what Kansas hopes it will, then Blyden could easily join the Newcomer Team, with potential for an All-Big 12 Second Team nomination.Â
Parker could easily become one of the most dangerous sixth men the conference has to offer. 53 points is nothing short of exceptional, and Parker averaged 18 points for the Radford Highlanders last season. If he can carve out solid minutes, he may be able to creep into the Newcomer Team.
Kinney and Stokes have to both be favorites for the Freshman Team; the pair are good friends, and Kansas faithful can not wait to see the two on the court together. Kinney is certainly still a more raw prospect than the NBA-ready Stokes, but if Kinney can recover his form he showed during the 2024-25 season, rather than the 2025-26 as a part of OTE, then he is a shoo-in with Stokes to hit the Freshman Team.Â
Expect Keanu Dawes to become the staple fixture in next season’s squad. Despite him being one of the many transfers joining the roster, he dwarfs the roster’s Big 12 experience having played two solid seasons at Utah. Dawes may very well be a Third or Second Team contender if things fall his way.
The First Team Nominee
It feels too obvious to say Stokes, but in most cases if it's obvious it is true, and in the case of Stokes his talent looks true. Kansas fans must be wary in an attempt not to create another Darryn Peterson situation, where the star man can’t hit the heights set for him, but with the talent surrounding Stokes that wasn’t always there for Peterson, the game should come a lot more naturally to the young superstar.
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