Darryn Peterson recruits for KU + Taylen Kinney update in this Kansas Jayhawks Q&A

Projected No. 1 NBA Draft pick Darryn Peterson isn’t expected to be in Kansas for a long time, but he’s fully embracing playing for the Jayhawks.

In fact, multiple players in the transfer portal told The Star this summer that Peterson has talked to them about the merits of potentially playing with him at KU.

And now he’s even recruiting players who would don a Jayhawks uniform after he leaves Lawrence.

Just ask class of 2026 point guard Taylen Kinney. He will pick between Kansas, Louisville, Arkansas, Kentucky and other schools on Sept. 28.

“DP (Peterson) told me to come and hoop — 10 months and then get to the league,” Kinney told The Star. “I mean, that’s what he’s going to do.”

Kinney isn’t the only high school star that Peterson is recruiting. He’s also talked to Overtime Elite forward Gabe Nesmith. The four-star recruit would arrive from the class of 2027, so well after Peterson would ostensibly have departed Lawrence.

The pair played together at Prolific Prep before Nesmith joined Overtime Elite.

“My guy Darryn told me that Bill Self is on him real hard and just that they make him a better player,” Nesmith said. “They’re going to make him a pro. He told me that it was the right spot for him.

“That definitely tells you something, I know how good of a player he is and how serious he is about his career. So I know that they’re definitely doing something completely right.”

With that, it’s time for another Kansas Jayhawks Q&A. Thanks, as always, for the questions!

What constitutes a successful season for #kufball at this point? Do they have to defeat little brother (end the streak) and win a bowl game? Seems to me like that should be the expectation. @derekho23

With how bad Kansas State looks so far this season, KU needs to end the streak. If it can’t happen this season, I’m not sure when it will.

After that, the overall goal should be to finish within the top five in the Big 12 and play in a decent bowl. Winning a bowl game would be gravy on what I believe could be a special season for KU football.

How are you/fans feeling about Taylen Kinney? do you think, he will be a jayhawk? @DRoc4eva

I think KU fans should be excited about the possibility of getting Kinney. He looked like one of the best players on the court in the Overtime Elite Combine.

He has aspirations of becoming a one-and-done player and even Peterson is recruiting him. He will announce his decision on Sept. 28.

Sources close to the situation told The Star that Kinney is likely to announce a commitment to KU on that date. Still, nothing is ever certain when it comes to recruiting.

Arkansas, led by coach John Calipari, is also very fond of Kinney. And he likes Calipari, mentioning the coach to The Star when discussing the accolades of Bill Self.

Kinney even visited Arkansas recently, so it doesn’t look like the Razorbacks are quite out of it yet.

How many points would KU be favored over Georgia in football on a neutral field? @ChrisKansasCity

I appreciate the optimism, but I think if UGA faced Kansas, it’d be ugly … for Kansas fans. In fact, I’d expect Georgia to be at least a three-touchdown favorite.

I’d like nothing more than to actually see these two sides face each other. I think it’d be a great barometer to see how far KU football has come.

Thoughts on QB for next year out of McComb, Isaiah, and Ballard? @crimson_blu_cru

That’s a very good question. Sources around the program have raved about how good McComb has looked, but I don’t expect him to be in true contention for the starting job.

I believe it’ll come down to Isaiah Marshall, Cole Ballard and likely a transfer portal quarterback that the Jayhawks pick up.

I lean toward Marshall due to his dual-threat ability, although coach Lance Leipold has repeatedly praised Ballard.

Marshall looked better than Ballard against Wagner (in limited snaps). Ballard quarterbacked three drives that led to just three points, while Marshall’s first drive ended with a touchdown.

Here’s what KU offensive coordinator Jim Zebrowski said about Marshall’s play vs. Wagner:

“I’m glad he got in there. … I wish we would have ended the (first) half differently,” Zebrowski said. “It gives you the chance to get guys in a tad sooner and gives those guys another series. That’s how I look at those types of moments.

“Got the chance to see his athleticism on point. He’s fun to watch. He made some good plays. It was good to see.”

I expect the battle to be fierce. These two QBs are close and bring out each other’s best.

This story was originally published September 19, 2025 at 11:01 AM.

Shreyas Laddha

The Kansas City Star

Shreyas Laddha covers KU hoops and football for The Star. He’s a Georgia native and graduated from the University of Georgia.