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Kansas Football Enters 2026 Season With Quarterback Battle Still Wide Open
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- Kansas Football Enters 2026 Season With Quarterback Battle Still Wide Open
(© Jesse Bruner)
Kansas Football Enters 2026 Season With Quarterback Battle Still Wide Open
With less than three months until kickoff, Kansas still hasn't named a starting quarterback, and that remains the biggest question surrounding the Jayhawks heading into the 2026 season.
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Cole Ballard , Isaiah Marshall and Chase Jenkins continue to battle for the starting job after the departure of Jalon Daniels , leaving head coach Lance Leipold with one of the most important decisions of the offseason.
On the latest episode of the Sunflower Showdown podcast, I said all three quarterbacks could realistically see the field this season.
"Of course, you got Cole Ballard, Isaiah Marshall, Chase Jenkins," I said. "All three of those guys could see the field this year."
If the season started today, though, experience might give Ballard the edge.
"I think if I had to guess right now with really not too much information to guess, I'd probably say Cole Ballard just because he's been in the program longer, he has more experience," I said. "But I could also see them giving Isaiah Marshall the nod just because of his athleticism and his potential as being a younger player."
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Marshall's upside remains intriguing, especially considering what he showed in limited action last season.
"Giving him the keys early I think would be beneficial down the line," I said.
The uncertainty at quarterback is reflected in the expectations surrounding the Jayhawks entering the fall. BetMGM recently set Kansas' preseason win total at 5.5 games, placing the Jayhawks right on the edge of bowl eligibility.
"I think that's pretty good honestly," I said. "I think they're going to be a team that's going to be chugging for a bowl game pretty much all year and then maybe they'll get to six wins."
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Kansas' schedule features marquee games against Missouri and Arizona State, but there are opportunities elsewhere for the Jayhawks to reach six victories.
"I think there's definitely six winnable games on the schedule," I said. "But a lot of uncertainty so far going into the 2026-27 season."
How quickly Kansas answers its quarterback question could ultimately determine whether the Jayhawks return to postseason football for the first time since 2023.
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