Kansas CB Jameel Croft Jr. to Enter Transfer Portal After Three Seasons with Jayhawks
Kansas cornerback Jameel Croft Jr. is officially entering the transfer portal, announcing his decision via Instagram alongside his representation from MET Agency on Sunday night. It marks the end of a three-year stint in Lawrence for the Detroit native, who will now look to continue his college football journey elsewhere with two years of eligibility remaining.
Croft arrived at KU in 2023 as a three-star recruit out of Martin Luther King Jr. Senior High School - a program that’s also produced former Jayhawks defenders Rich Miller and Marvin Grant. While he didn’t carve out a major role on defense, Croft became a consistent contributor on special teams, where he logged 116 snaps across three seasons, including his redshirt year.
Defensively, Croft saw limited action - just three snaps total, per Pro Football Focus. He lined up as an outside corner for one play against Lindenwood in 2024 and took two snaps as a nickel back in the 2025 matchup at Texas Tech. In total, he registered three solo tackles over the past two seasons.
He also got a brief look as a kick returner during the 2024 season, returning four kicks for 55 yards. One of those returns came in the high-stakes Sunflower Showdown against Kansas State, where he fielded a kickoff near the 1-yard line and stepped out of bounds, resulting in a safety. That play proved costly in a game the Jayhawks ultimately lost by just two points.
With Croft moving on, Kansas opens up a spot in a cornerback room that already features a strong returning core. Veterans Jalen Todd, Austin Alexander, Syeed Gibbs, and Jahlil Hurley bring plenty of experience, while younger talents like Jacoby Davis, Aundre Gibson, and Chris McCorkle continue to develop. The Jayhawks are also set to welcome incoming 2026 signees Trey Brown and Robert Reddick, adding even more depth to an already competitive secondary.
Croft’s time in Lawrence may not have included a breakout role, but his presence on special teams and commitment to the program over three seasons helped lay the foundation for a deeper, more experienced roster. Now, he’ll look for a fresh start - and potentially a bigger opportunity - at his next stop.