Kansas football has named a starting quarterback for Week 1 of the 2026 season, a source confirms to 247Sports. Redshirt sophomore Isaiah Marshall gets the nod for the Jayhawks as they enter year six of the Lance Leipold era. Marshall beat out redshirt junior Cole Ballard to win the job. ESPN’s Pete Thamel had it first.
Marshall will be a first year starter this season and his first career start will come against Long Island. A season ago, Marshall was used as a rushing quarterback throughout the season. He featured in nine games, taking 32 snaps at quarterback. He ran the ball 15 times for 160 yards (10.7 yards per carry). Through the air, he completed all three of his attempts against FCS program Wagner. Those attempts went for 28 yards and are his only passing attempts in college.
Coming out of high school, Marshall was a dynamic quarterback prospect. His college recruitment took off early in his high school tenure. He landed offers from over 20 Division I programs, including Kentucky, Louisville, Michigan, Ole Miss and Pittsburgh to name a few. He was a three-star recruit. He was the 31st ranked quarterback in the 2024 class and the 9th ranked recruit in Michigan in his class.
Marshall redshirted during his freshman season with the program and did not appear in a game. He will now start for the Jayhawks in his third season with the program.
Now, Marshall will lead a new-look KU offense. The Jayhawks have Andy Kotelnicki back as the offensive play caller and associate head coach. KU returns some key pieces at offensive line, wide receiver and tight end, but will have a handful of new starters and contributors, too.
Leipold has made it clear in recent weeks that both Marshall and Ballard will play and contribute this season.
KU will open the 2026 season with a game against Long Island on Friday, September 4. The game will kick off at 7 p.m. CT and will be televised on ESPNU.
