The NFL Combine is just around the corner, set to run from February 23 through March 2 in Indianapolis, with on-field workouts kicking off February 26 on NFL Network. And for Kansas football, it’s another milestone in a program that’s been steadily climbing.
This year, three Jayhawks are heading to Indy as part of the 319-player invite list - marking the second straight year Kansas has sent multiple prospects and bringing their two-year total to eight. That’s the most combine invites the program has had over a two-year span since at least 2000.
Let’s break down who’s representing the crimson and blue this time around - and why each of them has scouts paying close attention.
Jalon Daniels: A Jayhawk QB in the spotlight
Jalon Daniels headlines the group, and for good reason. He’s one of just 15 quarterbacks invited this year and becomes the first Kansas QB to get a combine nod in at least two decades.
That alone is a big deal. But Daniels isn’t just here on history - he’s coming off his best season yet, completing 62.1% of his passes for 2,531 yards and 22 touchdowns, with only seven picks.
He averaged nearly eight yards per attempt and brought a steady hand to the Jayhawks’ offense all fall.
What’s really helped Daniels build momentum, though, was his showing at the East-West Shrine Bowl. In front of NFL evaluators, he looked sharp - showing better timing, more command, and the kind of poise that translates well to the next level. For a guy who’s been steadily improving each year, the combine is another chance to prove he belongs in the conversation.
Lawrence Arnold Henderson: Speed, versatility, and return game juice
Next up is Lawrence Arnold Henderson - and if there’s one word that defines his game, it’s “explosive.” One of the fastest wideouts in the country and a nightmare in the return game, Henderson made his mark in the Big 12 this season.
He earned First Team All-Big 12 honors as a return specialist after leading the conference in kickoff return yards, averaging 25.3 yards per return. His 94-yard return against West Virginia?
Second-longest in the league this year - and a highlight that’s sure to be on repeat in draft rooms.
But Henderson wasn’t just a return threat. He also picked up Third Team All-Big 12 honors at wide receiver, finishing seventh in the conference in receiving yards and fourth in yards per catch.
That kind of dual-threat ability - combined with his top-end speed - makes him a fascinating prospect heading into Indy. If he tests well, don’t be surprised if his draft stock starts climbing fast.
Dominick Cruz: Steady protection and a rising OL pipeline
Rounding out the Kansas trio is right tackle Dominick Cruz, who anchored the Jayhawks’ offensive line and picked up Honorable Mention All-Big 12 recognition. According to Pro Football Focus, Cruz graded out as the sixth-best tackle in the Big 12 and cracked the top 50 nationally among FBS tackles. That’s solid company, and it highlights how consistent and effective he was all season.
Cruz’s invite also continues a quietly impressive trend for Kansas - they’ve now had an offensive lineman invited to the combine four years in a row. That’s not just a stat; it’s a sign of a program developing NFL-caliber talent up front, year in and year out.
Looking ahead to the Draft
With the 2026 NFL Draft set for April 23-25 in Pittsburgh, these three Jayhawks will be looking to turn strong combine performances into draft-day calls. For Kansas, it’s another sign of progress - a reflection of a program not just competing in the Big 12 but producing pros at key positions.
And for Daniels, Henderson, and Cruz, the stage is set. Now it’s time to show the league what they’ve got.