Kansas is walking into EA Sports College Football 27 with a number that tells the story pretty quickly: 77 overall.
That’s where the Jayhawks landed in the game’s first wave of team and player ratings, and it comes after a rough 2025 season that ended with seven straight losses and plenty of disappointment. EA Sports also gave Kansas a 77 on offense and a 77 on defense, making the program’s rating a clean but unflattering reflection of where things stand. It’s the lowest overall mark the Jayhawks have received since the game returned two years ago.
The Big 12 picture isn’t much kinder. Kansas is tied with Iowa State for the lowest rating in the league, leaving the two schools as the No. 15 and No. 16 teams in the conference in the game. For a roster that has already lost Jalon Daniels to graduation and shed several other important pieces, that evaluation suggests the developers aren’t expecting much out of the new-look group.
There are a few bright spots buried in the numbers. Four of Kansas’ five highest-rated players are skill-position players, which at least gives the offense some credibility on paper.
On the defensive side, though, the list thins out fast. Linebacker Trey Lathan and defensive tackle Tre’von McAlpine are the only defenders rated above 80 overall, and McAlpine is reportedly out for the season.
Kansas also has to deal with a few notable omissions from the game, including Leroy Harris III, who led the team with 4.5 sacks a year ago. That doesn’t help the defensive outlook, and the ratings as a whole make it hard to feel great about that side of the ball heading into the season.
The quarterback room may be the biggest concern of all. Isaiah Marshall and Chase Jenkins are both rated 74 overall, while projected starter Cole Ballard comes in at 70 overall. That’s not exactly the kind of number that inspires confidence, especially for a team already trying to replace its former starter and reset the offense around a new look.
Of course, these ratings are only a snapshot, and every year brings surprise risers who start out overlooked. But if EA Sports has even a decent read on this Kansas roster, the 2026 season could be a tough one for Lance Leipold’s team.
EA Sports College Football is back on platforms for the third year after its long hiatus, with early access beginning July 2 and the full release set for July 9.
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One KU Unit Looks Alarming While Another Is Turning Heads
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The most encouraging sign for KU is in the backfield, where the running backs are getting noticed as one of the conferences better groups. But the numbers also underline how much uncertainty remains elsewhere, especially when the evaluation turns to the most important position on the field and special teams. For a team trying to blend a major wave of newcomers into something cohesive, those contrasts might end up telling the story of the season. [Read more 🡒]