Kansas can't wait for Wembley - and the Jayhawks are ready to make an impression

By Simon Carroll

For many college football players, road trips mean another hotel, another stadium and another business trip.

For Kansas, September’s trip to London is something entirely different.

Ask almost anyone inside Lance Leipold’s squad what they’re looking forward to most about facing Arizona State at Wembley Stadium, and you’ll get a different answer. Some want to experience the history. Others can’t wait to explore one of the world’s great cities. One player is simply fascinated by the idea of traffic driving on the opposite side of the road.

But underneath the sightseeing plans and the excitement of travelling overseas for the first time lies a football team with something to prove.

Kansas believes 2026 can be the season it takes another step forward, and there would be no better stage than Wembley to show an international audience exactly what Jayhawk football has become.

More than just another game

For defensive lineman Blake Herold, the trip represents far more than an away fixture. The Wembley clash will be his first time leaving the United States.

“I’m super excited,” he said. “I’ve never been out of the country before, so I think it’s going to be super fun. I’m ready to show everybody over there American football.”

His teammate Leroy Harris shares that excitement, describing the opportunity as “a once in a lifetime experience.”

While both are eager to experience London’s history and architecture, Harris’ priorities are refreshingly straightforward.

“I just want to see the buses,” he laughed. “I really want to see the buses.”

As the conversation continued, the fascination only grew. Standing on top of a double-decker bus became the number one item on his London bucket list, while he also wants to immerse himself in British culture, hear unfamiliar expressions and simply chat with local people.

Herold’s interests are slightly more traditional.

“I’m excited to taste some foods over there and see some sights,” he explained. “Especially in a historic place like London.”

The same excitement carries across the roster.

Wide receiver Cam Pickett is eager to visit Buckingham Palace, while hometown offensive lineman Calvin Clements wants to take in the capital’s famous architecture.

For a programme making history as part of college football’s expansion into the United Kingdom, the players clearly appreciate they’re experiencing something few ever will.

A defense determined to answer questions

The smiles disappear quickly when conversation turns back to football; Kansas knows improvement on defense will likely define its season.

After inconsistency against the run last year, there has been significant turnover along the defensive front, and veterans believe the new-look unit is beginning to develop exactly the chemistry required.

Herold believes that chemistry starts away from football.

“I think KU brought in the right people,” he said. “Good, genuine human beings.”

That culture, he believes, makes teammates more willing to challenge one another during practice while building trust on Saturdays.

Harris echoed those thoughts.

“The connection allows us to build that trust,” he explained. “You know he’s going to be in the right position. That allows us to play faster, play together and, at the end of the day, win more games.”

That final phrase surfaced repeatedly throughout the media session. Every answer, regardless of the question, seemed to finish with the same objective.

Win more games.

It is an indication that 5-7, despite being a record that teams in the 90’s and 2000’s would have jumped at, is no longer good enough. And last season’s disappointment still lingers inside the locker room.

Is versatility Kansas' biggest strength?

Few players embody Kansas’ defensive philosophy better than Blake Herold.

Capable of lining up across multiple positions, the nearly 300-pound lineman has become one of the defense’s most valuable chess pieces.

“Being able to move across the whole D-line really helps me,” he explained. “Guys don’t know where I’m going to rush from.”

That flexibility extends well beyond the defensive front. Harris wants to become equally dangerous rushing the passer, dropping into coverage and setting the edge against the run.

“I want to continue to be a more versatile player,” he said. “Being at an elite level in all those things.”

The same philosophy exists on offense. Pickett describes himself as “very explosive” and someone capable of turning any short completion into a game-changing play.

Meanwhile, Clements believes improved depth across the offensive line could become one of Kansas’ greatest strengths during the 2026 campaign.

With transfers adding competition throughout the roster, the Jayhawks feel deeper than they have been in previous seasons.

Leaders setting the standard

One theme emerged consistently from every interview: leadership. Nobody spoke about statistics before discussing teammates.And nobody highlighted personal goals before talking about team success.

That attitude perhaps explains why players like Trey Lathan chose to remain in Lawrence despite exploring other opportunities during the offseason. Rather than entering another unfamiliar system, the linebacker decided familiarity could help unlock another level in his game.

“I know the defense inside and out now,” Lathan explained. “I’m going to be able to play as fast as I want.”

That comfort also allows him to embrace one of the team’s most important responsibilities as the defensive signal-caller.

He has become the quarterback of Kansas’ defense, relaying calls, organising teammates and ensuring everybody is aligned before the snap.

For Harris, adapting after transferring from Chattanooga came down to one simple truth.

“They welcomed me,” he said.

Football may be football, but feeling at home accelerated his transition to Big 12 competition. And that welcoming culture continues to define the Jayhawks.

Ready to entertain British fans

Of course, no conversation with the Jayhawks stayed entirely serious.

Herold revealed he has already reminded offensive coordinator Jim Zebrowski and the coaching staff about his days playing tight end in high school.

Would he like a goal-line carry at Wembley? Absolutely.

“I know I can play fullback,” he joked. “I can block, I can catch. Put me in there. That would be legendary.”

Whether that dream becomes reality remains to be seen, but it perfectly captures the mood surrounding Kansas’ journey across the Atlantic. This isn’t simply another fixture on the schedule – it’s an opportunity to introduce an entire program to new supporters.

From Harris searching for double-decker buses to Pickett hoping to showcase his explosiveness, from Herold dreaming of goal-line glory to Lathan leading the defense out onto one of football’s most iconic stages, the Jayhawks arrive in London carrying genuine excitement.

Now they intend to leave with something even more memorable: A victory in the first college football game ever played at Wembley Stadium.

BE A PART OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL HISTORY

Tickets to watch the Sun Devils against the Jayhawks in the inaugural Union Jack Classic on Saturday September 19 can be purchased now via the Union Jack Classic website

Mock Draft

SIMON CARROLL

Lead Writer, Head of Content

PREVIOUSLY THE FOUNDER OF NFL DRAFT UK, SIMON HAS BEEN COVERING COLLEGE FOOTBALL AND THE NFL DRAFT SINCE 2009. BASED IN MANCHESTER, SIMON IS ALSO CO-CREATOR & WEEKLY GUEST OF THE COLLAPSING POCKET PODCAST, COVERS THE JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS FOR SB NATION and is college football writer for dazn.

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