Kansas football’s roster got a shakeup through the transfer portal this offseason, but the Jayhawks are also counting on familiar faces to take the next jump in 2026. With several spots still unsettled and a few position battles still unfolding, there’s real opportunity for returning players to carve out bigger roles. Three names stand out as breakout candidates from last season’s team.
At tight end, Kansas is looking for someone to become the dependable target after losing Boden Groen and DeShawn Hanika. The best bet to fill that security-blanket role is redshirt sophomore Carson Bruhn.
The 6-foot-6, 260-pounder caught five passes for 55 yards a year ago while doing most of his work as a blocker, but his receiving upside is part of what makes him intriguing. Bruhn has the size to stay on the field in any package, and he could become an every-down option in both run and pass looks.
This will be his third season with the Jayhawks, and he arrived from high school as one of Iowa’s top prospects. That background, plus his underrated hands, gives him a path to becoming one of the offense’s more important pieces.
Another returner ready for a bigger spotlight is Jalen Todd. He put together a solid season for Kansas, finishing with 44 tackles, two sacks, four pass breakups, and a forced fumble. He wasn’t the reason for KU’s issues in the passing game, and another year in defensive coordinator DK McDonald’s system should only help him settle in more.
Todd has already become more comfortable in the scheme, and that comfort matters heading into another year in Lawrence. He and Austin Alexander are expected to rotate at both boundary corner spots, but the competition is sharper now.
Kansas had limited depth behind them last season, and transfers Roman Pearson and Elijah Cannon are in the mix for snaps this time. That added pressure should keep Todd pushing forward instead of getting comfortable.
Then there’s Harris, who came to Kansas after earning FCS Freshman All-American honors at Chattanooga in 2024 and wasted no time making an impact. He appeared in all 12 games last season and led the Jayhawks with 4.5 sacks while also posting 31 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, and eight pass breakups.
In his second year at Kansas, he has a chance to develop into one of the best defensive linemen in the Power 4. His strength, athleticism, and knack for getting into the backfield make him a central piece of the defense and a player who could break out in a big way.
In Other News...
Kansas Finally Has A Defensive Strength Fans Can Believe In
Early in fall camp, one part of Kansas defense has started to separate itself from the rest of the roster, and its the linebacker room. Lance Leipold has pointed to the group as the strongest position on that side of the ball, with Quincy Davis, Bam Crouch and Jibreel Al-Amin drawing notice for the kind of performance and versatility that can stabilize a defense while the rest of camp sorts itself out.
Trey Lathans return only adds to the sense that this unit can be more than just dependable. After leading the Jayhawks in tackles last season, he gives Kansas a proven presence in the middle of the defense and another layer of depth behind the players already making an impression. For a team trying to build real confidence on that side of the ball, the linebackers are giving it something tangible to point to. [Read more 🡒]
Jalen Todd Is Giving Kansas Real Hope For Its Rebuilt Secondary
Jalen Todd has become one of the more encouraging signs in Kansas rebuilt secondary, the kind of young defender whose progress is hard to miss once camp starts. The cornerback, who is also a HAWK for the Jayhawks, showed clear development from his freshman year to his sophomore season, adding more tackles and making a bigger impact on defense as his role expanded.
The staffs optimism only grew during fall camp, where Kansas footballs director of sports performance singled out Todd for gains in both speed and strength. With the 2026 season shaping up to include a demanding schedule and several high-profile quarterbacks on the other side, Todds growth could end up mattering a lot if the Jayhawks are going to hold up against the pass. [Read more 🡒]
Kansas Is Watching Another Guard As One Roster Decision Looms
Kansas is keeping an eye on the transfer market again, this time with an eye toward the future. Former Morgan State guard Alfred Worrell Jr. has emerged as a name of interest for a handful of programs after recent NCAA federal court injunctions gave him additional eligibility, and the Jayhawks are among the schools reportedly involved. Worrell was one of the top scorers in the MEAC, which helps explain why his market is broader than a typical late-summer name on the board.
For Kansas, the timing matters as much as the talent. Worrell is being viewed as a possible piece for the 2026-27 roster, but any real push for him may depend on other roster and eligibility decisions still hanging over the program. With several schools also recruiting him, this is the kind of situation that can move quickly once the Jayhawks get a clearer picture of their own guard room. [Read more 🡒]