Eric Boggs 
Kansas prepare for their 2024 season.
When Kansas takes the field this Thursday, it will mark the end of a 15-year drought. For the first time since 2008, the Jayhawks are entering the season ranked in the AP Top 25, landing at No. 22. This achievement is a clear sign of how far the program has come under the guidance of head coach Lance Leipold.
Kansas has long been known as a basketball school, but that perception is changing. The national recognition the football team is now receiving should significantly boost recruiting efforts, demonstrating that the program is on the rise. The Jayhawks are building on the momentum from last season when they finished 23rd in the final AP Poll, and expectations are high as they aim to contend for a Big 12 title this year.
Leipold, now in his fourth year, has steadily improved the team’s win total each season. This year, he’s fielding his best team yet, a group that’s coming off a nine-win campaign. The roster is filled with talent, particularly on offense, where quarterback Jalon Daniels, one of the best in the Big 12, leads the charge. Daniels has a strong supporting cast, including two-time 1,000-yard rusher Devin Neal and wideout Lawrence Arnold, who led the team in receptions and receiving yards last season.
Leipold is prepared for any scenario, ensuring that the team isn’t overly reliant on Daniels. If Daniels struggles with injuries, as he has in the past, backups like Cole Ballard are ready to step in, much like Jason Bean did last season. The success of the offense will also hinge on the performance of the offensive line, which helped the Jayhawks finish in the top 20 nationally in both rushing offense and fewest sacks allowed last year. A repeat performance could elevate the unit to even greater heights.
The offense will be operating under a new Offensive Coordinator, Jeff Grimes, who replaces Andy Kotelnicki. Meanwhile, the defense, led by Brian Borland, faces the challenge of replacing key players like first-team All-Big 12 defensive lineman Austin Booker, who moved on to the NFL. The departures of linebacker Rich Miller and safety Kenny Logan leave big shoes to fill, but the secondary remains a strength, anchored by the dynamic cornerback duo of Cobee Bryant and Mello Dotson, who combined for eight interceptions last season.
With all the pieces in place, Leipold has crafted a team ready for success. Being ranked to start the season signifies that Kansas football has arrived, and the best may still be yet to come.
About The Author
