While thousands of college football players officially entered the transfer portal when it opened on Friday, the Kansas program got good news throughout the weekend when many talented Jayhawks took to social media to announce they’d be returning to KU.
Most notably, both returning quarterbacks, Isaiah Marshall and Cole Ballard, announced they’d be returning to KU, as did talented defensive linemen Leroy Harris III, Blake Herold, Alex Bray, and Dak Brinkley. All four of those defenders figure to have a big impact on KU’s D in 2026. Additionally, wide receiver Keaton Kubecka and safety Darrion Jones also said they plan to return to Lawrence.
Those eight players are obviously not a holistic outlook on Jayhawk returners, but it’s always a feel-good moment in this era of uncertainty when players pledge to return.
Despite inevitable defections in today’s era of NIL and the transfer portal, KU fans should be excited about the weekend that was, which was highlighted by the return of former Offensive Coordinator Andy Kotelnicki. Kotelnicki, who led the Jayhawks to a top-10 PFF-graded offense in the nine-win 2023 campaign, returns as Associate Head Coach following a pair of seasons as Penn State’s Offensive Coordinator.
Stay tuned to KansasNation.com for all transfer portal updates regarding Jayhawk Football. Rock Chalk!
Sean Kellerman