photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Kansas receiver Donald Collier (right) is swarmed by teammates during KU Football's spring practice at Lawrence High School on Saturday, April 11, 2026 in Lawrence.

The Kansas football team took the mile-long trip south to Lawrence High School on Saturday for a spring practice session open for fans to watch and enjoy.

“To get in front of people and see how people play in front of others in a lot of different situations… we got a lot done,” Kansas coach Lance Leipold said. “The ‘oohs and aahs’ of the fans, the band being here also added a lot today. I think it made it a great day for our guys.”

Along with KU football on the field, a corn dog truck and carnival games were on the premises for fans to enjoy. Meanwhile, Kansas held a two-hour practice that started with a walkthrough in the 30 minutes leading up to the official start of practice at 11 a.m.

“We’ve got a lot of positions that we’re continually evaluating and continually working on depth and getting guys acclimated to our system,” Leipold said. “We’re getting a lot of situational football that allows our team to get better for those game-type of scenarios.”

The practice began with individual position drills, before a tackling session that featured a highlight play from redshirt sophomore Donald Collier as he hurdled a defender to avoid a tackle.

With the Jayhawks now having completed 12 spring practice sessions, Leipold said he’s been pleased with how the incoming transfers and freshmen have acclimated to the team, saying there have been “less bumps” in terms of getting everyone on the same page.

“I’m excited about this group,” Leipold said. “It’s been a really good group to work with. Our newcomers have integrated themselves in such a way that they want to be part of this program.”

Kansas competed in 7-on-7 reps on one end of the field with team run reps on the other end. The Jayhawks regularly rotated at quarterback between redshirt sophomore Isaiah Marshall, redshirt junior Chase Jenkins and redshirt junior Cole Ballard.

Leipold said it was probably the best day for Jenkins so far. He transferred to Kansas in January from Rice after throwing for over 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns with over 500 rushing yards and five scores on the ground in 2025.

Overall, Leipold said the quarterback battle is progressing well, and that the team will continue to evaluate the position through summer and is not in a rush to name a starting quarterback in spring.

“As we approach camp and get halfway through fall camp, we’ll have a nice clear picture on it,” Leipold said. “It’s time, it’s total consistency of separation of command of the offense. Decision-making, accuracy, getting us in the right things.”

The Jayhawks finished the practice with more 11-on-11 periods that featured a rotation of players at different positions, including quarterback. Ballard got the first of the reps in a late-game scenario, where he led the offense to a game-tying field-goal drive. Marshall utilized his legs as well as his arm when he was running the offense, helping the team pick up several first downs.

Defensively, Leipold said the incoming linebackers caught his eye in the 11-on-11 portions of practice, specifically praising redshirt junior New Mexico State transfer Quincy Davis, redshirt senior South Carolina transfer Jaron Willis and redshirt senior Kentucky transfer Landyn Watson.

As a whole, Leipold said the defense is coming together with the transfers fitting in with returning proven players.

On offense, Leipold has been impressed with some of the skill players, particularly at running back. Junior Yasin Willis, who broke through the defense for a long touchdown run in 11-on-11 work, and redshirt junior Dylan Edwards are complementary pair.

“(Willis) showed the explosiveness of being a big, physical back,” Leipold said. “I think everyone knows Dylan Edwards will be our most electric and explosive player that we have.”

Leipold said the wide receiver group has shown “pretty much what we hoped, and maybe a little more.” Returning redshirt senior Cam Pickett has shown his reliability, and some newcomers like senior Middle Tennessee transfer Nahzae Cox have impressed.

Along with the wideouts, Leipold praised the tight ends for their growing involvement in the passing game. Redshirt sophomore Carson Bruhn caught a pass up the seam from Ballard in an 11-on-11 period that set up a game-tying field goal.

Leipold said he has liked the intensity of the team through the first 12 spring practices and that the team needs to keep it up heading into the final few sessions next week.

“We’ve been in full pads every day since we got out of helmets and spiders,” Leipold said. “We haven’t cut back on any of that, we haven’t shortened up things. What I don’t want to see is, ‘Well, it’s the last (week), let’s just get through it.’ We always challenge them in intensity. The one thing we can’t do is step back and try to get it over with.”