Kansas head coach Lance Leipold has turned the spotlight on the quarterback position as the program enters fall camp ahead of the 2026 season.
Redshirt juniors Cole Ballard and Isaiah Marshall are the primary contenders, each bringing a blend of experience and potential to the mix.
Leadership and Mental Readiness
Both players are being assessed not only for arm talent but also for leadership, decision‑making and the ability to execute run‑pass options under pressure.
The staff is monitoring a wide range of repetitions — 11‑on‑11, 7‑on‑7 and 1‑on‑1 — to gauge readiness in varied scenarios.
While Chase Jenkins and Jaylen Mason are also participating, the evaluation centers on Ballard and Marshall as the faces of the competition.
Jalon Daniels’ preparation, even when he is not the starter, serves as a benchmark for the entire squad, illustrating the kind of professionalism the program expects.
Leipold stresses that the eventual starter will need to act as a leader from day one, shouldering responsibility for the offense’s performance and the team’s overall direction.