BY: KENNY VARNER

The Kansas Jayhawks are coming off a disappointing 5-7 season—a year that began with high expectations for a team projected to finish in the top half of the Big 12. Despite a 2-6 start, five of those six losses came by six points or fewer. The Jayhawks rallied late in the year, winning three straight games against Iowa State, BYU in Provo, and Colorado at home before dropping their season finale. This year’s team has the talent to reach a bowl game, and if they can learn to win tight contests, Kansas could even sniff the Top 25.

Quarterback Jalon Daniels returns for another season and will look to bounce back from a somewhat underwhelming campaign. The dual-threat quarterback threw for 2,454 yards with 14 touchdowns but completed just 57% of his passes and tossed 12 interceptions. On the ground, Daniels added 447 rushing yards and six scores, averaging 4.8 yards per carry. He showed flashes of growth in the second half of the season and now aims to take a significant step forward as he matures and gains consistency.

The offensive line returns two starters, led by All-Big 12 center Bryce Foster. The Jayhawks are confident in Calvin Clements at left tackle and Kobe Baynes at guard. While the unit may not be elite, it should be solid enough to give Daniels time to operate. At running back, Kansas must replace standout Devin Neal, who is off to the NFL. However, they are excited about Daniel Hinshaw, last year’s third-leading rusher, and they added Leshon Williams (Iowa) for depth and experience.

At wide receiver, Kansas made a splash in the transfer portal, landing Emmanuel Henderson from Alabama. However, another name to watch is Bryson Canty from Columbia, who could be just as impactful. If the Jayhawks can limit turnovers and finish drives in the red zone, this offense could become one of the tougher units to keep up with in the Big 12.

Defensively, Kansas struggled mightily against the pass last season. However, the defensive line should be the strength of this year’s unit, which could help mask issues in the secondary. The Jayhawks are thrilled to have Dean Miller back after a season in which he posted 10 tackles for loss, and they expect his sack numbers to rise. Tommy Dunn and DJ Withers return as solid Big 12-caliber defensive tackles, and Blake Herold adds quality depth to the rotation.

The biggest concern lies at linebacker, where the group will be entirely new. To address this, Kansas hit the transfer portal hard. Trey Lathan (West Virginia), who had 79 tackles with multiple tackles for loss, leads the incoming class. He’ll be joined by Bangally Kamara (South Carolina) and Joseph Sipp (Bowling Green), who totaled 152 tackles over the last two seasons. The secondary must replace nine interceptions lost to graduation and the portal, but the Jayhawks hope to improve play there with the additions of DJ Graham (Utah State), Lyric Rawls (Oklahoma State), and Laquan Robinson (Auburn). While the defense may not be dominant, there’s reason to believe it could take a step forward.

Last season, Kansas lost too many games due to turnovers and poor execution in critical moments. They had the talent to be a bowl team but ultimately underachieved. This year’s version returns with something to prove. Jalon Daniels has the tools to be electric—if he can cut down on mistakes, he could elevate this offense significantly. The unit should be able to move the ball effectively, and improved red zone efficiency could boost scoring production.

The defense will remain a work in progress, but a deeper, more disruptive defensive line could help shore up the pass defense. Kansas should begin the season 2-0 before a road test at Missouri. The Big 12 schedule is manageable, with tough road trips to Iowa State and Texas Tech, but Kansas State and Utah both visit Lawrence. This season, the Jayhawks return to playing home games on campus with the debut of their newly renovated stadium—after a year of playing at Arrowhead, which offered little home-field advantage.

Kansas may not crack the Top 25, but this team has the pieces in place to post a winning record and return to a bowl game.