Kansas football recruiting

The Kansas football team won a competitive recruiting battle when running back Kory Amachree pledged to join the Jayhawks on Friday.

Amachree, who is from Haslett, Michigan, announced his decision at his high school in a ceremony that was streamed on local news stations. The running back chose KU over nearby Michigan State, as well as additional top choices Duke, Indiana, Pitt and Harvard.

The 6-foot, 205-pound running back is listed as a three-star on both 247Sports and Rivals, though the 247Sports Composite ranks him as a four-star prospect. Amachree also reported offers from schools such as Arizona State, Cincinnati, Illinois, Northwestern, Purdue and West Virginia, among others; he received his KU offer in May 2024.

According to multiple reports, Amachree had a prior connection with KU wide receivers coach Terrence Samuel and his family from back when Samuel spent nine years coaching receivers and defensive backs at Michigan State.

Amachree’s father, Opuene, played running back at Michigan State, and Amachree also has an older brother, Nakai, who plays for Bowling Green.

Amachree suffered a broken tibia and fibula midway through his junior season and has been recovering in the months since.

He will now play a key role in the future of KU’s running back group, which when he arrives on campus ahead of the 2026 season will feature a largely untested set of players. That includes Johnny Thompson Jr. and Harry Stewart III, who are currently on the roster, as well as incoming 2025 signees John Kelly and Justin Thurman.

Since the Jayhawks are losing Daniel Hishaw Jr. and Leshon Williams to graduation after the 2025 season, they will likely still look to add a second running back besides Amachree to the 2026 class.

KU is now up to 16 commitments in the class overall.