The transfer portal may have closed on January 16, but the ripple effects are still being felt across college football. One of the more intriguing late moves comes out of Lawrence, where former Rice quarterback Chase Jenkins has officially transferred to Kansas.
Jenkins’ journey has already taken a few turns, and he’s only entering his third year of eligibility. He landed at Rice in 2023 and immediately saw the field as a true freshman, backing up veteran JT Daniels.
While his passing numbers were modest - 13 completions on 19 attempts for 100 yards and a pick - Jenkins flashed his athleticism in a limited role. He rushed for 82 yards and a touchdown on just 14 carries, often coming in as a change-of-pace option behind center.
His most extended action came in a tough spot - the second half against eventual American Athletic Conference champion SMU - after Daniels exited with a concussion. Jenkins held his own, showing poise and mobility even in a losing effort.
That freshman campaign allowed Jenkins to preserve his redshirt, but his role shifted dramatically in 2024. With Rice undergoing a coaching change - Mike Bloomgren out, Scott Abell in from FCS program Davidson - Jenkins was moved to wide receiver.
He only saw the field twice that season, registering one carry and no receptions. But that brief stint at wideout didn’t stick.
Abell brought in a spread option system that leans heavily on quarterback mobility, and Jenkins’ skill set suddenly became a perfect fit. He moved back under center and didn’t just compete - he took over.
As the Owls’ starter in 2025, Jenkins started all 12 regular-season games and made the most of Rice’s run-heavy approach. He completed 69.2% of his passes (119-of-172) for 1,025 yards, with nine touchdowns to just two interceptions.
The passing volume wasn’t high, but the efficiency was there. On the ground, Jenkins added another layer to the offense, rushing 151 times for 531 yards and five scores.
His 3.5 yards per carry may not leap off the page, but that production ranked second on the team in both rushing yards and touchdowns - a testament to how central he was in Abell’s system.
Now, Jenkins heads to a Kansas program that’s entering a transitional phase at quarterback. After six seasons, Jalon Daniels - the heart and soul of the Jayhawks’ offense - is finally moving on. Head coach Lance Leipold has a decision to make this offseason, and Jenkins will be right in the thick of that competition.
Kansas isn’t short on options. Cole Ballard and Isaiah Marshall, both underclassmen, saw game action in 2025 and showed flashes of what they could do in Leipold’s offense.
Ballard threw 22 passes and added 92 rushing yards on 15 carries, while Marshall attempted just three passes but racked up 160 yards on the ground - also on 15 attempts. Both fit the mold of mobile quarterbacks that Leipold tends to favor, and Jenkins brings that same dual-threat element, but with starting experience under his belt.
With two years of eligibility remaining, Jenkins gives Kansas another dynamic piece in a quarterback room that’s wide open heading into spring ball. He’s already proven he can lead an offense, manage a run-heavy system, and make smart decisions under pressure. Whether he wins the job or not, his presence raises the floor in that QB room and gives Leipold another versatile option to build around.
As for Rice, the Owls are turning the page as well. With Jenkins gone, the keys to the offense likely go to Jacurri Brown, the former Miami and UCF quarterback.
Brown brings experience - five career starts - and the kind of athleticism that fits Abell’s option-based scheme. He’ll be tasked with keeping the momentum going in Houston as the Owls continue adapting to a new era.
For Jenkins and Kansas, the story is still being written. But make no mistake - this is a transfer worth watching.