Kansas just added another arm to its quarterback room, and it’s a name that brings both experience and versatility: Chase Jenkins, the former Rice starter, is headed to Lawrence. The junior announced his commitment after an official visit to campus over the weekend, giving the Jayhawks a proven Group of Five starter with two years of eligibility left.
Jenkins comes in at 6-foot, 190 pounds and started every game for Rice in 2025. He was steady, if not flashy, completing 69.2% of his passes for 1,025 yards, nine touchdowns, and just two interceptions. That kind of efficiency-paired with a 68.7 passing grade from Pro Football Focus, which ranked him 24th among Group of Five starters-speaks to a quarterback who protects the football and makes smart decisions.
But Jenkins isn’t just a pocket passer. He adds a legitimate dual-threat element, rushing 151 times for 531 yards.
That number includes sack yardage, so the raw running output is even more impressive when you factor in his ability to extend plays and keep defenses honest. His best work through the air came in a clean performance against UConn, where he threw for 191 yards, completed over 77% of his passes, and tossed a touchdown.
On the ground, he showed his wheels against Charlotte, putting up 71 yards and a score on just 10 carries.
The Houston native was a three-star recruit in the 2023 class and saw early action as a true freshman, appearing in four games and completing 13-of-19 passes. But his sophomore season took a turn when he suffered a shoulder injury to his throwing arm in the 2024 preseason. That setback prompted a temporary position change to wide receiver, where he managed to appear in two games before making his way back to quarterback in 2025.
Now, Jenkins joins a Kansas QB room that has quietly reshaped itself this offseason. With his addition, KU will have four scholarship quarterbacks heading into the 2025 season: returners Cole Ballard and Isaiah Marshall, along with incoming freshman Jaylen Mason. Jenkins brings the most starting experience of the group, and while it’s unclear how the depth chart will shake out, his presence gives the Jayhawks a reliable option who’s already been through the grind of a full college season.
At one point, it didn’t look like Kansas would even pursue a transfer quarterback. Head coach Lance Leipold had publicly expressed confidence in the group already on campus.
But that outlook shifted when redshirt freshman David McComb entered the transfer portal. Even then, the buzz was that KU might stand pat.
Instead, they made a move-and Jenkins is the result.
It’s a calculated addition, one that gives Kansas a player who’s already proven he can manage a game, make plays with his legs, and protect the football. For a program looking to build on its recent momentum, Jenkins offers a steady hand and a high floor-exactly the kind of depth you want in today’s college football landscape.