photo by: Chance Parker/Special to the Journal-World

Kansas coach Lance Leipold during the first day of spring practice at the practice field on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, in Lawrence.

When the Kansas football team got picked ninth of 14 Big 12 Conference teams in last year’s preseason media poll, it was the first time in 13 years it had been projected anywhere other than last place, and served as concrete evidence of newfound public confidence in the Jayhawks.

This year’s poll reflects a vastly higher level of confidence.

After going 9-4 (5-4 Big 12) and winning the Guaranteed Rate Bowl last season, the Jayhawks were predicted to finish fourth out of 16 teams in the new-look Big 12 in Tuesday’s poll ahead of the 2024 season, and received five first-place votes.

It is the highest KU has been ranked in a Big 12 poll since the league eliminated divisions in 2011.

KU was behind only newcomer and conference favorite Utah (20 first-place votes), Kansas State (19) and Oklahoma State (14). The rest of the ranking, in order, consists of Arizona (three), Iowa State, West Virginia, UCF, Texas Tech, TCU, Colorado, Baylor, BYU, Cincinnati, Houston and Arizona State.

The Jayhawks will take head coach Lance Leipold, quarterback Jalon Daniels, running back Devin Neal, defensive end Jereme Robinson and cornerback Mello Dotson to next week’s Big 12 media days in Las Vegas, which begin next Tuesday with KU players set to speak the following day.

Beyond that quartet, KU returns a wide range of key contributors from last year’s successful team, including but not limited to running back Daniel Hishaw Jr.; wide receivers Lawrence Arnold, Luke Grimm and Quentin Skinner; offensive linemen Bryce Cabeldue and Michael Ford Jr.; cornerback Cobee Bryant and safeties O.J. Burroughs and Marvin Grant.

Question marks remain at several positions, including tight end, where KU must replace departed Mason Fairchild and injured transfer DeShawn Hanika, and pass-rush defensive end, where the Jayhawks are hoping for a mixture of newcomers and marginal contributors to step into greater roles.

The season begins on Aug. 29 against Lindenwood.