Lance Leipold picks Isaiah Marshall as KU’s starting quarterback
Kansas Coach Lance Leipold (center) talks with his assistant during a timeout against Iowa State Saturday November 9, 2024 at Arrowhead Stadium. (Lynn Harrington/stayaliveinpower5)
After observing an intense battle from spring ball through fall camp, Kansas’ head coach has come to a decision on who’s going to be his starting signal-caller for the upcoming season.
Less than 48 hours after he revealed the Jayhawks’ five captains, Lance Leipold chose redshirt sophomore Isaiah Marshall over redshirt junior Cole Ballard to lead the offense, and the fans should be excited. Marshall completes the puzzle to an offense that has the potential to make some serious noise in the Big 12 this fall.
After all, Andy Kotelnicki is back as Offensive Coordinator, and Marshall’s dual-threat capability fits his scheme like a glove. Marshall doesn’t have much experience over his first two years as a Jayhawk. However, he started one game last season, and played in eight others.
Kansas averaged 34.8 points per game in 2023, which was the last time Kotelnicki was the play-caller. Kotelniki’s offense was more run-oriented over the last two years at Penn State, but Marshall should have more freedom to operate in the pocket. It’s too early to judge what type of passer Marshall is, considering all three of his completions last year came against Wagner. So the verdict is still out on how accurate Marshall can be, or how fast he delivers the ball in traffic.
Regardless, the Michigan native showed dangerous mobility against Oklahoma State, and executed a 43-yard run. Leipold has surrounded Marshall with weapons too. Former Kansas State running back Dylan Edwards is as explosive as they come in the Big 12. Not to mention Cam Pickett is the leading-returning receiver. He hauled in 45 balls for 476 yards in 2025.
The offensive line returns two starters along the interior, and there appears to be no seniors for the starting five. Which is why opening up the season against Long Island will be a good way for Marshall to get his feet wet. He doesn’t need to be the hero on every down either. The way Kotelnicki operates his offense, Marshall will just have to be a solid game manager early on, and distribute the ball to the playmakers.
It’s no mystery that the quarterback position has been a liability for Kansas, and a big reason why the program is on a two-year bowl drought. Jalon Daniels is no longer around for the fans to point the blame, and Marshall has to understand a lot of responsibility comes with being at the helms of the offense.
Now that Leipold’s decision is official, the Jayhawks can start prepping for the Sharks. All Marshall needs to do is continue working on timing with his receivers, build confidence within the system, and earn the trust of the coaches to give him more freedom at the line of scrimmage. If Marshall can do all of that, there’s no reason why he won’t able to get off to a hot start.
