A New Emphasis on Size and Speed
Kansas football’s sports performance director Matt Gildersleeve has been vocal about the program’s deliberate shift toward greater size and speed as the 2026 season approaches. After an offseason that emphasized bulking up and quickening the roster, he says the team is seeing measurable changes across the board.
Among the most notable transformations is senior linebacker Trey Lathan, who added weight and boosted his top speed from just under 20 miles per hour to nearly 21 miles per hour within six months. Transfer Jibreel Al‑Amin, who came from Marshall, has put on 20 pounds, while Nik McMillan, a transfer from Buffalo, grew from 179 to 195 pounds. Running back Dylan Edwards added 15 pounds, moving from around 160 to 175, and defensive end Leroy Harris III now checks in at roughly 270 pounds while maintaining a speed of 21.6 miles per hour.
Quantifying the Gains
The physical changes are reflected in the numbers: the defensive line’s average weight is up 11 pounds, and the offensive line is about nine pounds heavier than a year ago. Speed metrics also show a surge, with the count of players capable of reaching 21 miles per hour climbing from three to 39, and those hitting 20 miles per hour rising from 47 to 62.
These gains are not accidental. The staff extended the offseason training window to three or four weeks of early preparation, a significant increase over previous years, and they have instituted a more rigorous transfer portal strategy that includes health screenings, body composition analysis, and private meetings with incoming players.
The focus on size and speed extends to the defensive backfield, where average weights for safeties and cornerbacks have also risen. With a deeper, faster roster, the program hopes to translate these physical improvements into on‑field dominance as the new season unfolds.