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Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
'It happens more than we'd like': Kansas football coach says he's called coaches about tampering
FRISCO, Texas — Among the many things talked about last week during Big 12 Conference media days, as Kansas football looked ahead to its 2025 season, was the issue of alleged tampering. It was something that was discussed during a roundtable of Big 12 coaches. Enforcement of the rules, and how that occurs when an athlete on one roster is someone another program might want to poach, was discussed. In what at times seems like an ever-changing world of college athletics, it's something that is on a lengthy list of things that need to be handled. KU coach Lance Leipold later acknowledged during media days that it's something his program has had to deal with when it comes to other programs being interested in his players. He acknowledged it's a frustrating part of the sport right now. And, according to him, it's something he's taken the time to address with certain individuals in the past. RELATED: DeShawn Hanika represents Kansas football, and Topeka, at Big 12 Conference media days 'It happens more than we'd like, probably a lot more than I even know about,' Leipold said. 'I didn't this year, but in the previous two years, I've picked up the phone and called head coaches. They all said they were going to call me back after they were going to find out about it, and my phone's never rang. But, I'll let you guess the conference it came from.' Leipold is entering his fifth season in charge at Kansas, after taking over ahead of the 2021 season. In both 2022 and 2023, the Jayhawks reached bowl games. In the latter, KU won its first bowl game in more than a decade. This upcoming season, Kansas will look to bounce back after a disappointing 2024 season. It'll have two new lead coordinators attempting to help the Jayhawks do so, after one retirement and one departure to another power-conference program. Perhaps most importantly, quarterback Jalon Daniels is back for his redshirt senior season and healthy to the point he can lead the offense and the team in general. Kansas' season opens with an Aug. 23 home game against Fresno State, and non-conference play continues in the weeks that follow with a home matchup against Wagner and a road game against rival Missouri. Big 12 play follows. The Jayhawks aren't seen as the Big 12 title contenders they were a year ago, and it'll be up to them to prove those who hold that view wrong. Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He was the 2022 National Sports Media Association's sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas. Contact him at jmguskey@ or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey. This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas football coach Lance Leipold addresses tampering concerns
USA Today
14-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Former Nebraska defensive back transfers to Kansas for 2025 season
A former Nebraska football player has committed to a new school. Wide receiver/defensive back Jaidyn Doss will transfer to Kansas for the 2025 season. Doss appeared in five games over two seasons while at Nebraska. He had two catches for 20 yards. He committed to Nebraska in 2022 as the No. 14 overall player in his class from the state of Missouri per Rivals rankings. The Missouri native made a quick decision as he only entered the portal on July 10. In 12 games last season, the Jayhawks averaged 208.8 passing yards per game. Doss has three years of eligibility remaining. Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes, and opinions.
USA Today
06-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Ranking all 16 Big 12 offensive line units from worst to first
The Big 12 saw a mass exodus of talented skill players to the NFL last season, but what has gone under the radar is the impact on the trenches. Of last season's All-Big 12 first team, four of the five offensive linemen hit the NFL besides Utah's Spencer Fano. This led to programs scouring the portal to find answers along the offensive line. The Colorado Buffaloes needed to improve their offensive line, and they aggressively recruited some of college football's top prospects through the transfer portal. But as the Buffaloes upgraded, so did other teams such as Texas Tech. The conference has some potential NFL stars and a stacked transfer class, so which squad has the best trenches in the Big 12? As we head into the 2025 season, here are our rankings of all 16 Big 12 offensive lines heading into the season. Our other 2025 unit rankings: Quarterbacks, Running backs, Wide Receivers, Tight Ends 16. West Virginia Mountaineers It's not even the Mountaineers' fault that they come in at No. 16. They lost all five of their starters from last season after most entered the transfer portal following the hiring of head coach Rich Rodriguez. However, they have somewhat replenished through the portal with a few transfers, but not close to the experience that left. 15. UCF Knights The Knights' offensive line needed a major makeover this offseason. They only have one returning starter with Paul Rubelt at right tackle, who has anchored their offensive line the past two seasons. UCF added some depth through the portal with experienced players, but not to the same caliber as the players leaving the team. 14. Oklahoma State Cowboys The Cowboys are in the same boat as the Mountaineers with no returning starters. They lost all of their experience in their offensive line room when all five starters exhausted their eligibility last season. OSU comes in at No. 14 because they were able to bring in better transfers, experience-wise, who should be immediate difference makers. Kasen Carpenter is the most promising of their transfers, who played the second-most snaps out of any player at Tulsa last season. 13. Arizona Wildcats The Wildcats lost their anchor in Jonah Savaiinaea and failed to replace him. Arizona let up the second-most sacks in the Big 12 last season, so fixing its leaky offensive line was a major offseason priority. They brought in a plethora of transfers, but nobody with nearly enough experience to make a difference this season. Their best transfer would have to be Ka'ena Decambra, who had moderate success in his time at Hawaii. 12. Kansas Jayhawks The Jayhawks are returning All-Big 12 second team center Bryce Foster and guard Kobe Baynes from last year's squad. The team also hit the portal hard with five new faces. However, of their transfers, only one has enough college experience to make an immediate impact. While the Jayhawks rely on their run game, they may struggle as the new starters adjust. 11. TCU Horned Frogs TCU's offensive line is solid in pass protection, but struggles in the run game. Last season, they only tallied 113.9 rushing yards per game, but helped quarterback Josh Hoover to an outstanding passing season. The team is only returning the right side of their line with Ben Taylor-Whitfield and Carson Bruno. However, they are relying on transfers to step up and start. TCU is expected to have a decent year in 2025, but if Hoover isn't protected, it might be worse than expected. 10. Houston Cougars The Cougars have two returning starters from last season: left tackle David Ndukwe and center Demetruis Hunter. Houston did add some good transfers who are all slotted to compete for the starting jobs at their respective position. Houston's o-line will be competitive in the conference, but won't be the best. 9. Cincinnati Bearcats The Bearcats lost their starting guards with first-team All-Big 12 Luke Kandra and John Williams heading to the NFL. Those two leave big shoes to fill, but are keeping center and team captain Gavin Gerhardt. They also added two three-star transfers that should be slotted in to start for the team. The Bearcats' offensive line isn't as strong this year as it was previously, but it's not horrible. 8. BYU Cougars Even though the Cougars lost their starting quarterback, whoever is under center should feel protected behind BYU's o-line. BYU is most notably returning its captain from last season, Weylin Lapuaho, along with a few potential starters. They also brought in two three-star transfers this spring, along with former Colorado lineman Isaiah Jatta, who will likely start at left tackle. The team should have a decent offensive line in 2025, but probably not to the same level as their 2024 squad. 7. Colorado Buffaloes After Shedeur Sanders had another season where he was sacked 40 times, Colorado head coach Deion Sanders, had to take action. His something? The transfer portal. The Buffs hit the portal hard, adding size and experience to a room that was lacking. Overall, Colorado added eight transfers to their offensive line room. That, paired with former five-star Jordan Seaton, sets the Buffs up to have a sneaky good offensive line this season, but only time will tell. 6. Kansas State Kansas State is returning its Second Team All-Big 12 center, Sam Hecht, and guard Taylor Poitier as its only starters. However, they have capable players that can step up into larger roles in 2025, such as Andrew Leingang, who saw playing time in every game last season. They also added a three-star transfer from Ohio State, George Fitzpatrick, who should be a solid starter for them. 5. Iowa State Cyclones Iowa State is projected to have a good year in the Big 12, and the play of their offensive line should be a significant factor. The Cyclones are returning Tyler Miller and James Neal II, who should slot in as starters. Along with returning starter Brendan Black at guard, the squad has many experienced linemen and should be a force to be reckoned with in the conference. 4. Baylor Bears Baylor is one of two teams returning most of its starters from last season. The team is returning key starters, including their blind side protector, Sidney Fugar, and guard Ryan Lengyel, who had a 78.0 pass blocking grade according to Pro Football Focus. Additionally, their right side is anchored by returning starter Omar Aigbedion, who received Second-Team All-Big 12 in 2024. Baylor is expected to have a high-powered offense in 2025, and a high-level offensive line is expected to play a key role. 3. Texas Tech Red Raiders The Red Raiders identified a problem and addressed it. After quarterback Behren Morton was sacked 23 times last year, they recruited three of the top 15 offensive linemen in the transfer portal. They are also returning a few starters in guard Davion Carter and center Sheridan Wilson. 2. Arizona State Sun Devils Despite losing their All-Big 12 lineman, ASU is returning four starters from the team that won the Big 12 last season. The squad is returning their tackles, Josh Atkins and Maxwell Iheanachor, along with guards Kyle Scott and Ben Coleman. However, they might face some inconsistency at center after losing Leif Fautanu to the NFL. 1. Utah Utes Utah is returning one of college football's top offensive tackles in Spencer Fano, after a stellar sophomore season. Playing the opposite side of the Utah offensive line is another potential first-round draft pick in Caleb Lomu. They are set on the interior as well, with returning starters at center and guard. Leading their interior is Tanoa Togiai, who was third among guards in overall PFF grade last season. At center, Jaren Kump returns after starting all 12 games last season. Contact/Follow us @BuffaloesWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Colorado news, notes and opinions.
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Kansas, Bill Self Receive Major Recruiting News on Wednesday
Kansas, Bill Self Receive Major Recruiting News on Wednesday originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The college basketball recruiting cycle never really ends. As June winds down, players are still shifting schools while coaches continue shaping their rosters for the 2025-26 season. Advertisement Kansas head coach Bill Self got a boost on Wednesday, landing a key frontcourt addition who could make an impact in Big 12 play. The Jayhawks picked up Paul Mbiya, a 6-foot-11, 260-pound center with a 7-foot-7 wingspan. Mbiya adds size, depth and much-needed rim protection to a Kansas team with Final Four aspirations. Joe Tipton of On3 Sports broke the news: "Congolese big man Paul Mbiya, a former NC State signee, has committed to Kansas, source tells @On3Recruits. The 6-11, 260-pound 20-year-old center boasts a 7-7 wingspan." Mbiya hit the open market last week after decommitting from the NC State Wolfpack, where he had been pledged for just over a month. Kansas beat out Dana Altman and the Oregon Ducks for his services. Advertisement Mbiya began his development at the NBA Academy Africa before moving to France to play for ASVEL Villeurbanne, where he averaged 15.5 points and 11.6 rebounds per game. Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self.© Christopher Creveling-Imagn Images He becomes the second major pickup for Kansas in as many days. The Jayhawks also added Kohl Rosario, bringing the scholarship count to 13 of the 14 available spots. Mbiya will likely compete with Flory Bidunga for minutes at the center position. His commitment likely ends Kansas' pursuit of fellow bigs Ege Demir and Brice Dessert. The Jayhawks are looking to bounce back after a frustrating 21-13 campaign, including an 11-9 mark in Big 12 play. Their season began with a No. 1 ranking in the Associated Press preseason poll and ended in disappointment with a first-round loss in the NCAA Tournament to John Calipari's Arkansas Razorbacks. Advertisement Kansas has reloaded and retooled. With Mbiya in the mix, they're once again aiming for a deep March run. Related: Duke Basketball Gets Good Recruiting News on Monday Related: Khaman Maluach Sends Message to Cooper Flagg After NBA Draft Decision This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 25, 2025, where it first appeared.
Miami Herald
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
4-star G Kohl Rosario reclassifies, commits to Kansas
Four-star guard Kohl Rosario committed to Kansas on Tuesday and will reclassify to 2025 to join the Jayhawks for the upcoming season. The 6-foot-5 Miami native ranks as the No. 72 overall recruit and the No. 13 shooting guard in the Class of 2026, per the 247Sports composite. Rosario chose coach Bill Self and the Jayhawks over offers from Oregon, Miami, Duke, Florida State and others. "We're very excited to add Kohl this year's team," Self said. "It's not often there's a player of his potential to become available at this point. We feel that what Kohl brings from a perimeter athletic shooting standpoint is something that we've needed to add to this year's roster. He is one of the hardest-working youngsters that we've ever recruited and feel the transition to college ball will be more seamless due to this. "He's been very well drilled, and I think his competitiveness will add of piece to our culture." Rosario played for Overtime Elite in Atlanta in 2024-25, averaging 15.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.8 steals per game. Before that, he played two seasons at Moravian Prep in Hudson, N.C. He joins an incoming class at Kansas that includes five-star guard Darryn Peterson, the nation's No. 1 player, and four-star forward Samis Calderon. --Field Level Media Field Level Media 2023 - All Rights Reserved
