Kansas football just wrapped up a busy Early Signing Period, officially inking 17 recruits to their 2026 class on National Signing Day. The signatures rolled in steadily throughout the morning, giving head coach Lance Leipold and his staff a clearer picture of the foundation they’re building for the future. One notable name, KD Jones, remains publicly committed to the Jayhawks but did not sign on Wednesday, and at this point, he’s not expected to.
Still, the Jayhawks made some serious noise-especially close to home. This class features players from eight different states, but the real headline is what KU accomplished within its own borders.
For the first time in a decade, Kansas landed a major haul of in-state talent, signing six of the top 15 prospects from within the state. That’s the kind of in-state recruiting dominance that can shift a program’s trajectory.
When you start winning the battles in your own backyard, it lays the groundwork for long-term success.
Beyond Kansas, the Jayhawks also pulled in talent from Oklahoma, Indiana, Missouri, and Texas-two signees from each of those states. They stretched their recruiting footprint coast to coast, reaching as far west as California and as far north as Michigan. That kind of geographic diversity speaks to a staff that isn’t afraid to chase talent wherever it may be.
Now, let’s talk rankings. If you remove KD Jones from the equation, KU’s class currently sits at No. 57 nationally and No. 12 in the Big 12.
The average commit rating hovers in the low 87s-solid, if not spectacular. That average would likely place KU around 10th or 11th in the conference if you go by that metric.
It’s not a top-tier class by the numbers, but there’s more to the story than just rankings.
This class didn’t come together overnight. It unfolded in phases, each one building on the last.
The Jayhawks came out hot in January, landing seven commitments to kick off the calendar year. That early wave was fueled by a strong in-state push, which helped set the tone for the rest of the cycle.
In the spring, KU picked up more momentum with key additions like Kory Amachree, Kaden Moody, and Joseph Credit. Then, as the summer heated up, so did the Jayhawks’ recruiting efforts. They closed strong with commitments from Kevin Sullivan, Robert Reddick, and Na’Kwaine Carter-three players who helped round out a well-balanced class.
At the top of the list is four-star offensive lineman Kaden Snyder from Salina Central. He’s ranked as the No. 28 offensive tackle in the country, and he’s the kind of prospect who could anchor KU’s offensive line for years to come.
But Snyder isn’t the only blue-chip caliber player in this group. Defensive end Hunter Higgins, linebacker Josh Galbreath, and running back Kory Amachree all rank in the top 50 nationally at their respective positions.
That’s a strong core of talent, and it gives KU some intriguing building blocks on both sides of the ball.
That said, this class leans heavily toward the offensive side. Of the 17 signees, 11 are offensive players.
That’s not by accident. KU is clearly looking to continue evolving its offensive identity, and this group reflects that focus.
Whether it’s bolstering the line, adding skill position depth, or bringing in versatile athletes, the Jayhawks are stacking the cupboard with pieces that can help them compete in a deep and increasingly competitive Big 12.
Bottom line: this isn’t a class that will turn heads nationally, but it’s a meaningful step forward for a program that’s been steadily climbing under Leipold. The in-state wins are huge.
The positional balance is strong. And the developmental upside is real.
If KU can continue to build on this momentum, they’ll be a team worth watching not just on Saturdays-but on Signing Days, too.