Top storylines from Kansas football’s 2025 season

Kansas football's 2025 season featured high expectations but ultimately delivered frustration. The Jayhawks started with Big 12 title and College Football Playoff hopes, anchored by leaders like Devin Neal and Jalon Daniels. Tight road games, including heartbreakers against K-State and UNLV, became a damaging theme.

Turnovers and missed opportunities—in games like the finale at Baylor and a tough loss at West Virginia—cost bowl eligibility. Standout moments, like Neal's record runs, showed promise, but inconsistent play and key injuries left the Jayhawks looking for answers by season's end.

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Kansas Jayhawks head coach Lance Leipold speaks to the media during the Big 12 Media Days at Allegiant Stadium on July 10, 2024. By Candice Ward

NO. 1: KANSAS HAS BIG 12 TITLE GOALS. THIS YEAR, THAT’D MEAN THE COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF

Kansas football enters the 2024 season with Big 12 title dreams. Coach Lance Leipold shared what could keep that from happening. | Published July 11, 2024 | Read Full Story by Shreyas Laddha

Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self talks with guard Dajuan Harris Jr. (3) after the game against the Iowa State Cyclones at Allen Fieldhouse on Jan. 11, 2022. By Jay Biggerstaff

NO. 2: KANSAS JAYHAWKS Q&A: TALKING BASKETBALL ROTATION, DAJUAN HARRIS AND, YES, KU FOOTBALL

This week’s Kansas Jayhawks mailbag covers the KU basketball rotation, Jalon Daniels’ health and the upcoming football game vs. Illinois. | Published September 6, 2024 | Read Full Story by Shreyas Laddha

Kansas Jayhawks cornerback Cobee Bryant (2) celebrates after defeating the West Virginia Mountaineers at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium on Sept. 10, 2022. By Ben Queen

NO. 3: KANSAS FOOTBALL VS. WEST VIRGINIA: FIVE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT JAYHAWKS’ BIG 12 OPENER

The Kansas Jayhawks travel to Morgantown to play West Virginia on Saturday. Here’s what to know before kickoff. | Published September 17, 2024 | Read Full Story by sladdha@kcstar.comShreyas Laddha

Kansas Jayhawks coach Lance Leipold walks off the field following a loss to the Kansas State Wildcats at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium on Oct. 26, 2024. By Scott Sewell

NO. 4: HOW DID THE KANSAS JAYHAWKS’ PROMISING 2024 FOOTBALL SEASON TURN SO BAD SO FAST?

Coach Lance Leipold defended the Jayhawks after their late loss at K-State: “Pretty evident this is a good football team.” | Published October 27, 2024 | Read Full Story by Shreyas Laddha

Kansas Jayhawks running back Devin Neal (4) runs as Baylor Bears safety Devin Lemear (20) pursues during the first half at McLane Stadium on Nov. 30, 2024. By Chris Jones

NO. 5: WHAT TO MAKE OF KANSAS FOOTBALL’S SEASON-ENDING LOSS TO BAYLOR: TAKEAWAYS & REACTION

The Kansas Jayhawks needed to be perfect to make a bowl game after a disappointing start. | Published November 30, 2024 | Read Full Story by Shreyas Laddha

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.