Kansas QB David McComb Enters Transfer Portal, Shaking Up Jayhawks’ Future at the Position
The Kansas Jayhawks’ quarterback room just got a little thinner - and a bit more uncertain. David McComb, a redshirt freshman who was expected to be in the mix to start in 2026, has officially entered the transfer portal.
McComb made the announcement himself on social media, writing, “Grateful for every moment as a Jayhawk. Excited to see what God has in store!” A native of Edmond, Oklahoma, McComb leaves Kansas with four years of eligibility still on the table, opening the door for a fresh start elsewhere - and leaving Kansas with a significant hole in their quarterback depth chart.
This move marks the 11th Jayhawk to hit the portal since the season wrapped, but McComb’s departure stands out because of what it could mean for the program’s future under center. With Jalon Daniels having exhausted his eligibility, head coach Lance Leipold is in the midst of a pivotal search for the next face of the offense. McComb was expected to be right in the thick of that competition, alongside Cole Ballard and Isaiah Marshall.
Now? That competition looks a lot different.
Earlier this month, Leipold indicated that the staff didn’t plan to bring in a quarterback from the portal. But McComb’s exit may force a change in that approach. With no clear-cut successor to Daniels and a wide-open race ahead, Kansas may have to reevaluate its strategy to ensure it has enough talent - and experience - in the room heading into spring ball.
McComb’s time in Lawrence didn’t include any game-day snaps, but that doesn’t mean he didn’t make an impact. He was a key part of the scout team, helping the defense prepare each week.
Ahead of the Jayhawks' game against Cincinnati, for example, McComb took on the role of mimicking Bearcats quarterback Brendan Sorsby in practice - a task he handled with athleticism and energy, according to defensive coordinator D.K. McDonald.
“David has done a really good job for us,” McDonald said at the time. “He’s playing scout team QB, but it’s really just him being who he is.
He’s an athletic guy. That’s really fun.”
Coming out of Memorial High School in Edmond, McComb was a three-star recruit and a true dual-threat quarterback. He chose Kansas over offers from Virginia Tech, Memphis, and others, bringing a blend of mobility and arm talent that made him an intriguing long-term option for the Jayhawks.
Now, he’ll look to bring that potential to a new program - while Kansas is left to regroup and reassess its quarterback future. With spring ball just a few months away, the Jayhawks’ quarterback battle has taken on a new level of intrigue - and urgency.