LAWRENCE — As Kansas football wrapped up its spring ball practices Friday, coach Lance Leipold praised how well the acclimation process of the Jayhawks’ newcomers unfolded.
Leipold, who is preparing for the fifth season of his tenure in Lawrence, anticipated helping those players through the transition would have been more difficult and bumpy than it was. He appreciates both how the newcomers carried themselves, and those who were back from the 2024 squad. In total, even compared to a year or two ago the players on the roster did a better job following what’s required of them.
Here are five things to know about the team as a whole as KU, which finished 5-7 overall and 4-5 against the Big 12 Conference last fall, after back-to-back bowl seasons with one bowl win the two seasons prior, prepares for the 2025 season:
Is Jalon Daniels’ rehabilitation process still on schedule?
Daniels has been limited this spring as he recovers from an injury, but Leipold reiterated all signs point toward Daniels being 100% involved by the beginning of summer workouts. Daniels has continued to gradually make his way back, and become involved in more things. Leipold volunteered that offensive coordinator Jim Zebrowski has even let Daniels call their two-minute situations as an example of how they’ve looked to keep getting Daniels ready to go.
Is there a position group Lance Leipold is leaving the spring with a better feeling about?
One that Leipold said hit him pretty quick in this regard was the wide receiver position. Kansas lost so much production from last season at that spot, as guys like Luke Grimm, Lawrence Arnold and Quentin Skinner moved on. Leipold has liked what he’s seen from returning talents like Doug Emilien and Keaton Kubecka, as well as the transfers and early enrollees who joined the team.
Leipold also mentioned he likes how the players they brought into the linebackers room have been everything they’ve wanted those individuals to be.
How will Lance Leipold look to ensure there isn’t a drop-off when fall camp begins?
Of course, Leipold discussed people making ...
