photo by: Aiden Droge/Kansas Athletics

Kansas center Bryce Foster prepares to snap the ball against Kansas State in Manhattan on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2025.

Frisco, Texas — Kansas center Bryce Foster was originally announced as a representative of the KU football team at Big 12 media days on Wednesday at Ford Center at The Star, but was unable to attend due to a recent “cleanup” medical procedure, head coach Lance Leipold said.

“Bryce had a little procedure done that’s going to hold him back a little bit and they didn’t want him to fly,” Leipold said. “He’ll be ready for the opening game and stuff, but it was a decision we made. He’s disappointed. I’m disappointed for him because he deserved to be here as well.”

Tight end DeShawn Hanika spoke on Wednesday in place of Foster, along with quarterback Jalon Daniels and defensive linemen Dean Miller and D.J. Withers.

The center Foster, a returning starter from last season and one of the top players at his position in the country, had been named on Monday as KU’s lone representative on the preseason all-conference team. He and Miller were second-team all-league selections at the conclusion of the 2024 season.

Leipold said Foster’s procedure was in response to a “tweak” that occurred during the summer, and that Foster will be ready to play in the Jayhawks’ season opener against Fresno State at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium on Aug. 23. The exact timing of his return during fall camp is still in question, at least to some extent.

“I haven’t gotten any specifics and it’s still pretty early,” Leipold said. “What I’m thinking is he’s going to be really modified in week one of camp, maybe two, but by halfway through camp he should be ready to go and be available for game one.”

KU’s other options at center include Tyler Mercer, a true sophomore transfer from North Texas, and Amir Herring, a former Michigan transfer who also plays guard.