The McAlary Effect

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2026 KANSAS FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

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that boy tryna be like me, keep it going. I'm your OG

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2026 KANSAS FOOTBALL ROSTER
NO	POS	Player	Class	HT	WT	Home
0	OLB	Roddy Orr	SO(RS)	6'2”	222	Iowa
1	MLB	Jayvaun Russell	SO(RS)	6'4”	236	Kansas
3	OLB	Richard Paredes	SO	6'4”	249	Florida
4	HB	Avery Muamba	SO	5'10	206	Kansas
5	TE	Bobby Berryman	FR(RS)	6'4”	222	Louisiana
6	QB	Adonis Saturday	FR(RS)	6'3”	215	Georgia
7	WR	Damien Keo	SO	6'2”	190	Texas
7	OLB	Donte Cantrell	FR(RS)	6'1”	227	Georgia
8	QB	Isaiah Marshall	SO(RS)	6'0”	205	Michigan
9	HB	Glen Jue	FR(RS)	6'2”	233	California
9	S	Jordan Coleman	SR(RS)	6'0”	180	Missouri
10	WR	Austin Dogins	FR(RS)	6'1”	205	Louisiana
11	WR	Morgan Cooke	FR	5'11”	169	Oklahoma
12	QB	Brad Matlock	FR(RS)	6'1”	209	Georgia
12	S	Nico Brewer	FR(RS)	5'10”	197	Texas
13	WR	Keaton Kubecka	JR(RS)	6'2”	205	Texas
14	QB	Marco Vigil	FR	6'1”	181	California
14	CB	Jeremiah Moses	JR(RS)	6'0”	182	Louisiana
15	QB	Cole Ballard	JR(RS)	6'2”	225	Indiana
15	K	Shaq Durham	FR(RS)	6'1”	195	Louisiana
16	OLB	Logan Brantley	JR(RS)	6'2”	210	Colorado
17	TE	Jaden Hamm	JR(RS)	6'6”	245	Kansas
17	OLB	Kaleb Harris	SO(RS)	6'1”	196	Alabama
18	WR	Rashard Slay	SO	6'5”	187	Texas
18	CB	Damani Maxson	JR	6'1”	180	Texas
19	CB	Avery Demery	SO(RS)	6'2”	169	Texas
20	CB	Jabari Koloamatangi	FR(RS)	5'10”	181	Missouri
21	WR	Manny Prince	FR	6'5”	211	Texas
22	S	Brian Dilworth	SR(RS)	5'11”	185	Florida
23	S	Cameren Jenkins	JR(RS)	6'1”	189	Texas
24	HB	Tyree Labelle	FR(RS)	6'0”	233	Georgia
25	HB	Harry Stewart III	SO(RS)	5'10”	215	Texas
25	CB	Kaleb Purdy	SR(RS)	5'11”	185	Missouri
26	HB	Johnny Thompson Jr	JR(RS)	5'11”	200	California
26	CB	Jalen Todd	SO(RS)	6'1”	180	Michigan
27	S	Taylor Davis	JR(RS)	6'0”	195	Texas
28	CB	Terrence Yates	SO(RS)	6'1”	175	Florida
29	S	Blair Schonhorst	SR(RS)	6'0”	177	Missouri
30	OLB	Seth Sahara	SO(RS)	6'0”	217	Alabama
32	MLB	Bradley Baron	FR	5'11”	219	Oklahoma
33	HB	Bret Rheem	FR	5'11”	229	California
33	S	Reynaldo Capers	FR(RS)	6'2”	202	Florida
34	HB	Dakota Lobato	FR	5'11”	229	Missouri
35	DE	Tony Terry	JR(RS)	6'5”	265	Missouri
38	MLB	Brian Helena	JR	5'11”	229	Kansas
40	MLB	Braylon Friend	FR	6'3”	220	Florida
44	DE	Hugh Busby	JR	6'1”	247	Alabama
45	DE	Greydon Grimes	SO(RS)	6'5”	245	Texas
50	G	Amir Herring	SR(RS)	6'3”	300	Michigan
54	G	Brian Dingle	FR	6'0”	322	Texas
54	DT	Terrelle Warren	FR	6'4”	308	Kansas
56	DT	Marcus Calvin	JR(RS)	6'2”	320	Florida
57	G	Harrison Utley	SO(RS)	6'3”	280	Oklahoma
60	C	Elias Najvar	FR	6'0”	299	Florida
61	G	Carter Lavrusky	SO(RS)	6'6”	275	Arizona
62	G	Martin Rudock	FR(RS)	6'4”	291	Wisconsin
64	G	Alex Ball	SO(RS)	6'5”	294	Kansas
65	OT	Colby Heimburger	FR(RS)	6'6”	308	Alabama
66	OT	Shaun Cockrill	FR(RS)	6'4”	306	Georgia
71	OT	James Livingston	JR(RS)	6'7”	305	Michigan
72	OT	Eric Yearby	FR(RS)	6'7”	327	Texas
75	OT	Calvin Clements	JR(RS)	6'7”	315	Kansas
76	C	David Abajian	SO(RS)	6'5”	285	California
78	OT	Brian Vermiglio	FR(RS)	6'6”	276	Texas
79	OT	Damian Hixon	FR(RS)	6'7”	329	Missouri
82	TE	Carson Bruhn	SO(RS)	6'6”	230	Iowa
88	WR	Jamie Hill	FR	5'9”	170	Georgia
90	DE	Braxton Slater	FR(RS)	6'3”	240	Michigan
95	P	Damon Greaves	SR	6'1”	200	Australia
96	DE	Cole Petrus	SR(RS)	6'4”	240	Missouri
98	DE	Lyle Carreon	JR(RS)	6'5”	293	Arkansas
99	DT	T.J. Harbor	FR(RS)	6'5”	284	Kansas

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Kansas releases initial depth chart as fall practices wind down
Jayhawks hoping for a resurgence with new coaching staff
By Dee Pinya | @dpinya | August 23, 2026



The Kansas Jayhawks football program is no stranger to highs and lows, but the past few seasons have tested the patience of even the most loyal fans. After an impressive 9-4 season in 2023, highlighted by a bowl game victory, the program seemed to be on an upward trajectory under head coach Lance Leipold. However, the momentum quickly fizzled, with the Jayhawks managing only two wins in 2024 and hitting rock bottom with a single win in 2025. Leipold's five-year tenure came to a disappointing end with a 19-42 record, leaving the Kansas faithful desperate for change.

Enter Jordan McAlary, an aggressive, young offensive mind fresh off a stunning turnaround at Kent State. McAlary, who served as Kent State’s offensive coordinator, played a pivotal role in transforming the Golden Flashes from a 1-11 disaster in 2023 to a 12-2 conference champion just two seasons later. Kansas Athletic Director Travis Goff, determined to inject new life into the Jayhawks program, moved quickly to bring McAlary on board, giving him full control over assembling his staff. With McAlary at the helm, there’s once again cautious optimism in Lawrence, but the road back to respectability won’t be easy.

2026 Kansas Football Depth Chart - Offense
Position	Player 1	Player 2	Player 3	Player 4
WR-X	Damien Keo	Manny Prince
WR-Z	Rashard Slay	Austin Dogins
WR-SL	Keaton Kubecka	Morgan Cooke
LT	Calvin Clements	Colby Heimburger	Shaun Cockrill
LG	Carter Lavrusky	Alex Ball	Harrison Utley
C	Alex Ball	David Abajian	Elias Najvar
RG	Amir Herring	Martin Rudock	Harrison Utley
RT	James Livingston	Damian Hixon	Brian Vermiglio
TE	Jaden Hamm	Carson Bruhn	Bobby Berryman
QB	Isaiah Marshall	Brad Matlock	Adonis Saturday
RB	Johnny Thompson Jr	Avery Muamba	Harry Stewart III	Tyree Labelle or Glen Jue

2026 Kansas Football Depth Chart - Defense
Position	Player 1	Player 2	Player 3	Player 4
LE	Greydon Grimes	Braxton Slater	Hugh Busby
RE	Tony Terry	Lyle Carreon	Cole Petrus
DT	Marcus Calvin	T.J. Harbor	Terrelle Warren
WILL	Logan Brantley	Seth Sahara	Kaleb Harris
MIKE	Jayvaun Russell	Brian Helena	Braylon Friend	Bradley Barron
SAM	Roddy Orr	Donte Cantrell	Richard Paredes
LCB	Jeremiah Moses	Terrance Yates
SS	Taylor Davis	Camren Jenkins	Nico Brewer
FS	Brian Dilworth	Reynaldo Capers	Jordan Coleman
RCB	Jalen Todd	Damani Maxson
SLCB	Kaleb Purdy

2026 Kansas Football Depth Chart – Special Teams
POS	Player 1	Player 2	Player 3
P	Damon Greaves	Shaq Durham
K	Shaq Durham	Damon Greaves
KO	Damon Greaves	Shaq Durham
PR	Avery Muamba	Morgan Cooke	Jamie Hill
KR	Avery Muamba	Morgan Cooke	Jamie Hill

Quarterback Battle: Marshall Leads the Charge
The quarterback position is always the focal point of any team, and for Kansas, redshirt sophomore Isaiah Marshall gets the nod as the starting signal-caller entering the 2026 season. After showing flashes of potential in 2025 with 1,664 passing yards and 11 touchdowns, Marshall will need to take significant steps forward to give the Jayhawks a chance to compete in the Big 12.

Marshall’s dual-threat ability adds an extra dimension to McAlary’s offense, but ball security and accuracy are key areas of improvement. Marshall threw 13 interceptions last year and completed just 55% of his passes. Additionally, his pedestrian 3.3 yards per carry on the ground shows there’s plenty of room to grow as a runner as well. Still, McAlary expressed confidence in his young quarterback, stating, “Isaiah gives us the best chance to win football games.”

Pushing Marshall every step of the way is Brad Matlock, who impressed in the spring game with a clutch, game-winning drive. While Matlock lost the quarterback competition, McAlary emphasized the importance of having a reliable backup: “We’re lucky to have that contingency plan.”

Versatile Backfield Options for McAlary
One area where Kansas boasts plenty of depth is in the backfield. Johnny Thompson Jr. is expected to lead the way, bringing agility and elusiveness to the offense, while Avery Muamba adds versatility as a pass-catching threat out of the backfield. The Jayhawks will also deploy the hard-nosed running of Tyree Labelle and Glen Jue, both of whom bring a more physical, bruising style. The group’s diversity has McAlary excited about the multiple looks they can present to defenses.

“We really love the diversity we have in the backfield,” McAlary said. “We can mix and match those guys to give us an advantage in a lot of situations.”

Look for Kansas to rotate all five backs early in the season as they try to establish a balanced offensive attack.

Receiving Corps: Depth a Concern Behind Keo
On the outside, Kansas will look to junior wideout Damien Keo to lead the receiving corps. Keo has separated himself as the top target heading into the season, but beyond him, the depth chart is a bit murky. Keaton Kubecka and Rashard Slay round out the starting trio, but the Jayhawks have also given reps to younger players like redshirt freshman Austin Dogins and true freshman Manny Prince in practice.

At tight end, Jaden Hamm has been the most reliable option, with Carson Bruhn and Bobby Berryman likely to see the field in two-tight-end sets—a formation McAlary is expected to use frequently.

Offensive Line Anchored by Strong Tackles
The offensive line will need to be a stabilizing force for the Jayhawks, and they appear to have solid anchors on the ends. Calvin Clements and James Livingston are set to protect the edges, while Carter Lavrusky and Amir Herring man the guard spots. The center position was up for grabs throughout the spring, but redshirt sophomore Alex Ball seems to have won the job, beating out David Abajian. How well this unit gels will be critical to the success of both the running game and pass protection.

Defensive Outlook: Strength in the Secondary
On defense, Kansas will look to a mix of veteran presence and fresh faces to turn things around. Defensive ends Greydon Grimes and Tony Terry bring experience and stability, while Marcus Calvin, a 320-pound force in the middle, will be key to controlling the line of scrimmage.

The linebacking corps lacks star power but offers versatility, with transfer Roddy Orr emerging as the leader of the unit. Much like the running back position, expect Kansas to rotate different looks at linebacker depending on the matchup.

The strength of the defense lies in the secondary, where safety Brian Dilworth leads a talented group. Taylor Davis will join Dilworth at safety, while Kaleb Purdy, transfer Jeremiah Moses, and Jalen Todd will compete for time at cornerback. With solid depth from Damani Maxson and Terrance Yates, this unit could be the key to keeping Kansas in games.

Special Teams: Uncertainty at Kicker, Stability at Punter
Special teams will be a mixed bag for the Jayhawks heading into the season. Redshirt freshman Shaq Durham takes over as the starting kicker, but his consistency has been a question mark throughout practice. Senior punter Damon Greaves, who punted an eye-popping 61 times last year, will hope for fewer opportunities but will aim to improve on his 43.5 yards per punt average.
In the return game, Avery Muamba is the player to watch. His explosiveness makes him a threat to take a kick or punt to the house, adding another dimension to Kansas’ special teams.

The Road Ahead
With McAlary at the helm, there’s renewed hope in Lawrence, but this is a team that will need time to rebuild. The season opener against UCF will be a key measuring stick for where the Jayhawks stand, but with a young quarterback and a roster still finding its identity, patience will be important. However, if McAlary’s track record at Kent State is any indication, there’s reason to believe brighter days are ahead for Kansas football.

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Kansas Football 2026 Season Preview and Prediction
Jayhawks will be better, but strong conference will see them in bottom half
By Markus Gray | @gray_markus69 | August 24, 2026

Head Coach: Jordan McAlary, first year at Kansas
Key Assistants
Offensive Assistant/Wide Receivers: Michael Porter Sr.
Defensive Coordinator: Chris Polizzi
2025 Record: 1-11

Kansas football fans are buzzing with renewed hope as the program begins a new era under head coach Jordan McAlary. After several seasons of disappointment, McAlary's arrival brings a fresh sense of optimism, thanks to his track record of orchestrating a dramatic turnaround at Kent State. Known for his innovative offensive schemes and ability to develop talent, McAlary is seen as the right coach to revive a Jayhawks program desperate for consistency and success. With his aggressive approach to building a strong staff and a focus on creating a balanced, dynamic offense, there’s a belief that McAlary can lay the foundation for a brighter future in Lawrence, even if the rebuild takes time.

The Offense
For Kansas to find success in 2026, the offense will need to focus on balance and ball security, ensuring that the burden doesn't fall solely on quarterback Isaiah Marshall. While Marshall’s dual-threat ability makes him a dynamic weapon, he’s still developing, and his 13 interceptions from last season highlight the importance of protecting the football. To alleviate pressure on Marshall, Kansas will lean on its deep running back corps, utilizing a committee approach that can control the pace of the game and keep defenses guessing. By establishing a strong run game and spreading the ball to a variety of playmakers, the Jayhawks can create a more balanced attack, allowing Marshall to make plays when needed without having to carry the offense. This strategy will be key to limiting turnovers and maximizing efficiency in McAlary's new system.

The Defense
For Kansas to stay competitive in 2026, the defense will need to become a playmaking unit that can create opportunities through turnovers and timely stops, especially with an offense still finding its rhythm. With several untested players stepping into key roles, the Jayhawks’ defense will rely on new faces to rise to the occasion. The secondary, led by safety Brian Dilworth, is the strength of the unit, but the linebackers and defensive line will need to generate pressure and disrupt opposing offenses. Transfers like linebacker Roddy Orr and young players such as cornerback Jeremiah Moses will be counted on to make an immediate impact. For a team in transition, defensive turnovers and big plays could be the difference between keeping games close and falling behind in the fast-paced Big 12.

The Schedule

Date	Opponent	Location	2025 record
09/05/2026	UCF	Lawrence, KS	5-7
09/12/2026	Missouri	Lawrence, KS	2-10
09/19/2026	Middle Tennessee	Lawrence, KS	9-3
09/26/2026	Western Kentucky	Bowling Green, KY	7-6
10/10/2026	#14 West Virginia	Morgantown, WV	9-3
10/17/2026	Utah	Salt Lake City, UT	6-6
10/24/2026	TCU	Fort Worth, TX	5-7
10/31/2026	BYU	Lawrence, KS	4-7
11/07/2026	Baylor	Lawrence, KS	6-6
11/14/2026	Oklahoma State	Stillwater, OK	7-5
11/21/2026	Arizona State	Lawrence, KS	5-7
11/28/2026	#11 Kansas State	Manhattan, KS	13-0

The Prediction
Kansas has a real opportunity to start the 2026 season strong, with several winnable games early on that could build much-needed momentum for the Jayhawks. They kick off the season against UCF, a challenging but manageable home opener, followed by favorable matchups against Missouri, Middle Tennessee State, and Western Kentucky. If they can secure wins in these contests, Kansas could be sitting at 4-0 before facing a brutal stretch on the road. The back-to-back-to-back games against West Virginia, Utah, and TCU will test the team’s mettle, especially with the added pressure of hostile environments.

The schedule doesn’t ease up much after that, but home games against BYU and Baylor are winnable, even though both teams pose significant challenges. A likely tough road trip to Oklahoma State looms, where a loss seems probable given the Cowboys’ strength, but the real test of Kansas' resilience will come in a must-win home game against Arizona State. Closing out the season, the Jayhawks will face in-state rival Kansas State, a team led by Heisman hopeful quarterback Avery Johnson. With Johnson spearheading one of the most talented squads in the Big 12, Kansas will need to play their best football to have a shot at a season-defining upset. Starting strong could give the Jayhawks the confidence they need to compete deep into the season.

Given the teams' recent struggles anything north of four wins would have to be considered a big improvement but those inside the program are hopeful for more.

"We feel like we can hang with any team on our schedule this year," Coach McAlary said confidently. "We've got a group that's hungry to compete, and when we play disciplined, balanced football, we can go toe-to-toe with anyone. It's about taking it one game at a time, executing our game plan, and believing in what we're building here. No matter who we're up against, we’re going to be ready to fight."

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2026 NCAA Football Preview

Georgia looks to go back to back as preseason #1

Preseason Coaches Poll
RK	LW	School(Votes)	Record	Points	Last Week	This Week
01	01	Georgia (31)	0-0	1,495	--	--
02	02	Oregon (23)	0-0	1,321	--	--
03	03	SMU (3)	0-0	1,252	--	--
04	04	Texas A&M	0-0	1,212	--	--
05	05	Clemson	0-0	1,166	--	--
06	06	Alabama	0-0	1,110	--	--
07	07	Florida State	0-0	1,071	--	--
08	08	Florida	0-0	1,071	--	--
09	09	Kansas State	0-0	987	--	--
10	10	USC	0-0	903	--	--
11	11	Colorado	0-0	893	--	--
12	12	Michigan	0-0	816	--	--
13	13	Duke	0-0	752	--	--
14	14	Tulane	0-0	661	--	--
15	15	Boston College	0-0	573	--	--
16	16	Virginia Tech	0-0	541	--	--
17	17	West Virginia	0-0	526	--	@ East Carolina
18	18	Notre Dame	0-0	516	--	Michigan State
19	19	Charlotte	0-0	512	--	--
20	20	Ohio State	0-0	456	--	@ Texas
21	21	Tennessee	0-0	378	--	@ Nebraska
22	22	Miami	0-0	349	--	--
23	23	Texas Tech	0-0	340	--	Colorado State
24	24	UTSA	0-0	321	--	--
25	25	Cincinnati	0-0	229	—	--

Others receiving votes: UCLA 228, Penn State 75, Maryland 27, Oklahoma 22, South Carolina 7
Dropped from rankings: None

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Preseason Heisman Watch
Player	POS	School	2025 Stats
Avery Johnson	QB	Kansas State	4,263Yds 44TD 5Int, 765RYds 7TD
Kevin Concepcion	WR	NC State	34Rec 487Yds 4TD
Jeremiyah Love	HB	Notre Dame	169Car 796Yds 9TD, 19Rec 207Yds
Nico Iamaleava	QB	Tennessee	3,229Yds 38TD 5Int, 373RYds 4TD
Julian Sayin	QB	Ohio State	3,584Yds 40TD 6Int, 355RYds 3TD

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