Kansas head coach Lance Leipold is shifting focus to roster depth after two seasons defined by late-game collapses. Fatigued starters and fourth-quarter breakdowns have haunted the Jayhawks, but Leipold now believes strategic rotation can turn those heartbreaking losses into Big 12 wins.
With Jalon Daniels gone, the quarterback room is under a microscope. Leipold said Kansas can win with either Cole Ballard or Isaiah Marshall, framing the competition as a battle rather than a crisis. The pair will lead a high-powered offense into 2026, though no starter has been named.
Improved depth could be the difference in close conference games. The Jayhawks have struggled to finish, often faltering in the fourth quarter when starters wore down. Leipold's plan to deploy fresh legs late in games aims to reverse that trend and secure pivotal victories in a competitive Big 12.
Kansas now enters a critical offseason. The quarterback decision will shape offensive identity, while the depth experiment tests whether rotation can compensate for talent gaps. Spring practices and fall camp will determine who takes the first snap.
Leipold's optimism hinges on execution. While depth offers a theoretical fix, the Jayhawks must prove they can close games under pressure. The quarterback battle adds uncertainty, but Leipold insists both Ballard and Marshall are capable of winning.