When Kansas kicked off the 2025 season, its transfer class came in ranked No. 43 in the country, per 247Sports. On paper, it looked like a solid group: Melvin Council Jr. out of St.
Bonaventure, Jayden Dawson from Loyola Chicago, and Tre White via Illinois. Not bad, but not exactly headline-grabbing either.
Fast forward a few months, and that No. 43 ranking is looking more like a serious undervaluation. If there were a midseason re-rank, this Kansas transfer trio would be climbing the charts in a hurry.
Let’s break down how each of these newcomers has impacted the Jayhawks so far-and why this transfer class has turned into one of the more underrated hauls in the country.
Melvin Council Jr.: The Dawg Kansas Didn’t Know It Needed
Melvin Council Jr. has become a revelation-not just for Kansas, but across the college basketball landscape. He’s gone from under-the-radar pickup to fan favorite at Allen Fieldhouse, and for good reason.
Council brings a defensive edge that sets the tone for the entire team. He’s gritty, relentless, and has that “Dawg” mentality coaches love and opponents hate dealing with.
But while his defense gets the headlines, it’s his offensive impact that’s quietly been just as valuable. Council’s ability to get downhill, finish through contact, and navigate traffic in the paint has been a lifeline for Kansas in tight spots.
Take the Jayhawks' 64-61 win over then-No. 13 Texas Tech-Council dropped 16 points, going 5-for-7 from inside the arc and shooting nearly 54% overall.
That kind of efficiency, especially against elite competition, is no fluke. It’s a sign of a player who knows how to pick his spots and deliver when it matters most.
Tre White: The Steady Hand in the Chaos
Tre White might not be the flashiest player on the floor, but he’s become a steadying force for Kansas. Whether it’s stepping up when Council is bottled up or filling the scoring void when Darryn Peterson is sidelined, White has carved out a key role as a reliable offensive option.
He’s already posted two 22-point games this season-first in a tough 78-66 loss to No. 5 Duke, and again in a high-octane 104-100 win over TCU.
Those performances weren’t just empty stats; they were timely, composed scoring efforts that kept Kansas in the fight. On the year, White is averaging 14.5 points per game on a sharp 48.5% shooting clip.
That kind of production, especially from a transfer adjusting to a new system, is exactly what Bill Self and his staff were hoping for.
Jayden Dawson: Still Finding His Footing
Not every transfer hits the ground running, and for Jayden Dawson, the adjustment has been a bit slower. The former Loyola standout hasn’t cracked the starting lineup yet, logging appearances in 18 games without a start. His scoring hasn’t quite translated either-his season high is seven points, which came in a blowout win over Texas A&M Corpus Christi.
At Loyola, Dawson showed real promise, averaging nearly 14 points per game and shooting 36.3% from beyond the arc. That shooting stroke hasn’t fully clicked in Lawrence yet, but there’s still time. If he can find his rhythm from deep, Dawson has the potential to be a valuable floor spacer and bench spark as the season progresses.
The Verdict: A Transfer Class That’s Outperforming the Rankings
Kansas may have entered the year with a transfer class that didn’t turn many heads nationally, but the on-court results tell a different story. Council has emerged as a two-way force, White is providing reliable offense in key moments, and even Dawson, despite a slow start, has the tools to contribute down the stretch.
These aren’t just role players-they’re culture-setters. They’ve brought toughness, versatility, and a competitive edge that fits perfectly with what Kansas basketball is all about.
As one analyst put it: “Good things happen when you recruit dawgs.” And right now, Kansas is reaping the rewards.