Jayhawks surface in Preseason AP Poll for first time since 2009
(Lynn Harrington/stayaliveinpower5)
The Preseason AP Poll was released Monday afternoon, and it ended a 15-year drought for the Kansas football program.
After all, the Jayhawks landed at No. 22, which was their highest mark in the preseason since 2008. Not to mention the Jayhawks were one of four Big 12 teams listed in the top-25. There’s no denying the national recognition is a testament to how far the program has come under Lance Leipold.
Kansas is no longer just viewed as a basketball school, and that should help with future recruiting. Bottom line, the Jayhawks picked up where they left off last season when they finished 23rd in final AP Poll. Leipold’s squad is expecting to contend for a Big 12 Title this upcoming season, and rightfully so.
The fourth-year coach continues to improve Kansas’ win total each season on the job. Now Leipold will be fielding his best team yet, and that’s saying a lot from a group that’s coming off a nine-win campaign. There are several players with All-Big 12 potential on both sides of the ball too.
The offense is hindering on the health of quarterback Jalon Daniels, who happens to be one of the best at his position in the league. Daniels has an arsenal of weapons too, including a two-time, 1,000-yard rusher in the backfield in Devin Neal. Wideout Lawrence Arnold led the team in receptions and receiving yards in 2023, and he’s due for a monster season.
Leipold refuses to put all of his eggs in one basket though. Just like last season with Jason Bean, Leipold has backups that are capable of leading the offense if Daniels can’t stay healthy, particularly Cole Ballard. Everything still starts at the point of the attack.
If the big boys up front can help the Jayhawks finish in the top-20 nationally in rushing offense and fewest sacks allowed for a second-straight year, the sky’s the limit for the unit. However, the offense will be operating under a new Offensive Coordinator in Jeff Grimes, who replaces Andy Kotelnicki.
On the defensive side of the ball there are holes that need to be filled. Brian Borland is Leipold’s right-hand man, but he has to replace first-team, All-Big 12 defensive lineman Austin Booker, who was an NFL Draft pick.
Linebacker Rich Miller, and safety Kenny Logan were both leaders of their position groups. With them no longer on the roster means Borland will need more playmakers to emerge. Still, he has the best cornerback tandem in the nation in Cobee Bryant and Mello Dotson. The ballhawk duo combined for a jaw-dropping, eight interceptions last season.
At the end of the day, Leipold has all of the ingredients for a successful recipe on the gridiron. Being nationally ranked to start the season means the program has arrived, and it appears the best is yet to come for Kansas.
