Kansas football may not have found the finish it wanted this season, but Leroy Harris III has been one of the bright spots forcing his way into the national conversation.
The Jayhawks have been competitive without being able to close games, a problem that has followed them for the last three seasons. Harris, though, has turned himself into one of the most disruptive defenders in the country and a rising NFL prospect after transferring from Chattanooga following his freshman year.
NFL Draft analyst Daniel Parlegreco was especially high on him after watching the edge rusher.
Leroy Harris III is one of the more intriguing EDGE prospects I've watched recently.
The size, athleticism and ability to dominate against the run really stand out. He's already a terrific edge setter, and I think there's even more pass-rush potential to unlock.
Big fan!
- Daniel Parlegreco (@DTPDraftScout) November 12, 2026
The Draft Hub has Harris pegged as a possible first- or second-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft, and that kind of stock would put him in rare company for Kansas. If he goes that high, he would be the highest-drafted Jayhawk since Aqib Talib went 20th overall in 2008.
Leroy Harris III is a Top 50 player for me in this Draft Class.
So impactful, and doesn’t get talked about nearly as much as he should.
- The Draft Hub (@TheNFLDraftHub) November 10, 2026
The production backs up the buzz. In the Big 12, Harris is tied to the top of the league in blocked kicks with two, leads the conference with 46 quarterback pressures and four forced fumbles, and sits third in tackles for loss with 14 and sacks with 6.5.
Those numbers also hold up nationally, where he ranks first in blocked kicks, third in quarterback pressures, third in forced fumbles, seventh in tackles for loss and 28th in sacks.
That kind of output should draw far more attention than it has, but Kansas’ team struggles have kept Harris from getting the spotlight his season deserves.
He is also part of a defensive trio that has carried a lot of the load for the Jayhawks. Defensive lineman David Santiago has nine tackles for loss, three sacks, two forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries, while linebacker Trey Lathan leads the team with 62 tackles and also has four tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.
Lathan’s eligibility ends after this season, while Harris and Santiago each have two more years left if they stay in college. Even so, Harris looks like a player who has already worked himself into a strong draft position, and Santiago could be a name that attracts interest from programs with better title odds if he returns.
At 6-foot-5 and 270 pounds, Harris has been a problem snap after snap, using power and speed to knock blockers backward and still find ways to slip free when plays drag on. He has also earned praise for what he brings beyond the stat sheet. Matt Tait of Wave the Wheat noted Harris’ leadership on social media.
#KUfball
- Matt Tait (@mctait) October 6, 2026
Kansas would love to keep him, but that seems unlikely. Harris has put together the kind of season that should pay off, whether that comes in the NFL or somewhere else.
For now, Jayhawks fans should savor what they have left, because there are only three games remaining. And if the trajectory holds, Sundays may not be far off.
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