ESPN’s Way‑Too‑Early Top 25 for the 2026‑27 season has already turned its gaze toward the Big 12, and Kansas finds itself positioned at No. 23.
The Jayhawks are coming off a 24‑11 campaign that ended with their fourth straight opening‑weekend NCAA Tournament exit, a streak that underscores the urgency of rebuilding.
What makes the projection intriguing is the arrival of Tyran Stokes, the nation’s top‑ranked freshman recruit, who is expected to be the catalyst for a turnaround.
Projected Starting Five
Headlining the projected starting lineup are Stokes, guards Leroy Blyden Jr. and Taylen Kinney, Utah transfer Keanu Dawes, and former Charleston center Christian Reeves.
Bench depth could be bolstered by Kohl Rosario and Dennis Parker Jr., while the potential eligibility of Serbian big man Mihailo Mušikić adds another layer of intrigue.
Kansas joins three other Big 12 programs on the preseason list, landing behind the conference’s top‑ranked teams but ahead of Iowa State.
The ultimate question will be how quickly the new roster gels around Stokes, a player whose versatility and physicality could reshape the team’s identity.