Kansas didn’t leave much mystery in its first depth chart of the 2026 season, but Monday’s release still offered a few interesting clues about how the Jayhawks see the pieces fitting together before Friday night’s opener against Long Island.
The biggest headline was already settled last Thursday, when Isaiah Marshall was named the starting quarterback. After that, the chart mostly confirmed what had started to come into focus in camp: Tavake Tuikolovatu at right guard, Eamon Smalls on the nose, and Dylan Edwards and Yasin Willis sharing the top spot at running back.
The more revealing details came on defense, where KU handed out a few roles that weren’t necessarily easy to predict.
One of the clearest surprises was Elijah Cannon at the Hawk spot. Cannon, a cornerback transfer from Mississippi State, arrived with just five career tackles in two seasons and then missed spring work because of offseason surgery. He hadn’t been a major talking point for much of camp, but KU listed him as the lone starter at the nickel-type spot in its 4-2-5 looks, ahead of safety Khijohnn Cummings-Coleman.
That move puts Cannon in position to serve as the fifth defensive back, though KU could also turn to Jibreel Al-Amin or Malachi Curvey as a third linebacker in certain packages. Lance Leipold said Cannon’s growth has stood out, especially after the staff started using him more at corner and then found he fit naturally at Hawk when injuries thinned the room during camp.
“We really didn’t know what we had, and then we started to mainly use him at corner, but then we got really thin through camp multiple times at the Hawk position,” Leipold said, “and he went in there when it was really natural, and he really fit in, (it) fit into his skill set really well.”
Defensive coordinator D.K. McDonald was just as direct in his praise, calling the Coconut Creek, Florida, native “a dog that likes to bite.”
“He really loves the mental part of this game, which is awesome,” he added. “And so it was easy for him just to kind of go in there.
He learned it rather quickly. And then the big thing you want to see is will those guys stick their nose in there when it’s time to hit, and he’s not afraid to do that.”
Another interesting wrinkle showed up at safety. Mason Ellis, who opened the 2025 season as KU’s top nickel choice before shifting back to true safety after another stretch of injuries, appeared on the depth chart alongside Louisville transfer Corey Gordon at strong safety.
That spot had drawn plenty of attention for Gordon and Georgia Tech transfer Christian Pritchett during camp, but Leipold said KU wants Ellis to settle in at safety and play there consistently this season. He also noted Ellis can still be used at the other spot if needed.
“Mason’s been very knowledgeable,” Leipold added. “He knows our defense, he’s retained information, he’s one of the guys that’s really well thought of and respected because of what he’s been through in our program and the time that he’s been in our program. But as we know, the biggest thing that probably Mason has struggled with is staying available on a consistent basis.”
McDonald said the job is “still up in the air” between the top two, and added that Pritchett has been improving after dealing with bumps during camp.
Up front, KU’s depth chart showed a split that may matter more in the long run than where the names were listed on Monday. Redshirt junior David Santiago, a Michigan State transfer and one of McDonald’s favorite fall camp performers, was placed behind senior Alex Bray at strong-side end.
Leipold said he expects the workload to be shared almost evenly.
That makes sense given how McDonald described Bray and Santiago. He praised Bray’s effort, leadership and continued growth as a pass rusher, while saying Santiago adds another physical presence and should help on the edge opposite weak-side ends Leroy Harris III and Dak Brinkley.
“For Bray, he really works hard, and he plays harder for longer than a lot of guys, and that’s what I really appreciate about him,” McDonald said. “His leadership is really good. He’s a strong guy, he’s able to handle those tackles and get in there, he spills, and then he really improved in his pass rush.”
He also said of Santiago: “And he’s a physical guy, too,” and noted that the former Air Force player’s leadership traits are starting to show as he gets more comfortable.
McDonald said KU could rotate as many as five or six defensive ends, with redshirt freshman Garrett Martin listed fifth among the group and third at weak-side end.
At receiver, KU avoided splitting the top spot between Middle Tennessee transfer Nahzae Cox and returning reserve Keaton Kubecka, instead listing them together at one of the three wideout positions. Kubecka drew praise from Terrence Samuel for the confidence he showed in camp, while Cox brings the experience of being a regular contributor for the Blue Raiders.
Andy Kotelnicki made it clear both are going to be part of the offense.
“All those guys are going to play,” he said. “You’re going to see them all on the field in some capacity. Like I’ve told the individuals, I said, ‘Listen, I don’t see a world where you’re not playing, but I also don’t see a world where those other guys aren’t playing.'”
Marshall has already noticed what that group can do.
“I’m seeing very explosive plays from them, making big plays, making me look good all the time,” he said. “So just as long as I give them guys a chance, I know they’re going to come down with the ball every time.”
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