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With the 2026 season on the horizon, the Kansas Jayhawks are encountering considerable doubt from national pundits. After finishing last year with a 5-7 record and missing a bowl game, the team has lost substantial talent to graduation and the transfer portal, leaving several areas inadequately fortified. While certain offensive skill positions appear solid, numerous uncertainties persist on both sides of the ball, prompting a closer look at the most pressing concerns.
Among the offensive units, running back and wide receiver seem well-stocked, but other groups face glaring question marks. The defensive line, secondary, and quarterback position stand out as the primary areas of worry. Here is an in-depth examination of each.
Defensive Line Depth Issues
The Jayhawks' pass rush took a step back in 2025, recording only 25 sacks after ranking third in the Big 12 in sacks per game the previous year. Leroy Harris III emerged as a bright spot with a team-leading 4.5 sacks in his debut FBS season, helping offset Dean Miller's injury-plagued year. However, the coaching staff made minimal moves to bolster the pass rush during the offseason, relying instead on the continued development of younger players like Harris and Dak Brinkley to generate pressure. The run defense could also struggle early, especially with the reported season-ending knee injury to Tulane transfer Tre'Von McAlpine, who was expected to anchor the defensive tackle spot. This leaves the interior of the line with significant uncertainty regarding who can consistently clog running lanes.
Secondary and Pass Defense Concerns
Defensive coordinator D.K. McDonald faces the challenge of identifying the best cornerbacks for his scheme after several additions to the defensive backfield. Jalen Todd and Austin Alexander were the primary outside corners last season, but the staff has brought in Ball State transfer Roman Pearson, ex-Mississippi State corner Elijah Cannon, and former Alabama transfer Jahlil Hurley to compete for playing time. Syeed Gibbs is expected to continue in his hybrid HAWK role, while the safety position appears more stable with Georgia transfer Jaden Harris and Louisville transfer Corey Gordon joining returning starters Mason Ellis and Taylor Davis. Despite these options, the defense allowed 31 or more points on six occasions last year, often through the air, and with much of the same personnel returning, improvement is essential.
Quarterback Uncertainty
The most glaring concern is at quarterback, where no starter has been named to replace Jalon Daniels. All indications point to Cole Ballard taking the reins, a player familiar with Lance Leipold's system but lacking the physical attributes of his predecessor. Ballard's arm strength, mobility, and decision-making do not match Daniels' capabilities, raising doubts about the offense's ceiling. Whether it is Ballard or Isaiah Marshall, neither has instilled much confidence in the fanbase, and that sentiment will persist until one proves himself on the field. A quarterback can make or break a season, and this uncertainty looms large over Kansas's 2026 outlook.