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LAWRENCE — Kansas football saw two players selected during the 2025 NFL Draft, with Devin Neal going to the New Orleans Saints and Bryce Cabeldue to the Seattle Seahawks.
Neal and Cabeldue both were selected during the sixth round this year, Neal at 184th overall and Cabeldue at 192nd overall. Those picks mean the Jayhawks can now point back to back-to-back years in which they’ve had multiple selections. According to a KU release on Saturday following the draft, “With two draft picks for the second-consecutive season, the Jayhawks have now had multiple selections in back-to-back drafts for the first time since 1996-97.”
But while there’s a number of months between now and the 2026 edition of the NFL draft, are there players fans should be keeping an eye on as potential draftees next year? Whether they are familiar names from the 2024 season or newcomers, could they help ensure a streak of two-straight years of multiple selections becomes three? Is it possible there could be more than two picks in 2026?
RELATED: Where Kansas football players are going as un-drafted free agents after 2025 NFL Draft
Here’s a list of five Kansas players to watch out for:
Bangally Kamara, a redshirt senior, is a newcomer on the Kansas roster who transferred in from South Carolina. Listed at 6-foot-2 and 235 pounds, he’s poised to be a key contributor for the Jayhawks and showcase what he proved himself capable of earlier in his college career at Pittsburgh. It’s not just his athleticism or natural football instinct he can be relied upon, but the reality the linebacker is becoming more and more of a leader for KU as it looks to bounce back this fall.
Emmanuel Henderson Jr., a senior, arrived at Kansas as a transfer from Alabama who was capable of taking a significant step forward as a talent if afforded that opportunity. During the spring, he undoubtedly impressed those around the program when it came to how much he could help a new-look wide receivers position group in 2025. The 6-foot-1 and 190-pound athlete has what it takes to be the Jayhawks’ No. 1 option at wide receiver this fall, and if the offense can rebound from what was disappointing run at times in 2024 his draft potential can rise significantly in the months to come.
Jalon Daniels’ injury history and, at times, struggles during the 2024 season, could make this a challenging uphill battle for the Kansas’ starting quarterback. But Daniels, a redshirt senior, is still a dual-threat talent who’s played a pivotal role in the resurgence of the Jayhawks’ program in recent years. Maybe having Jim Zebrowski as the lead offensive coordinator, and Matt Lubick as the co-offensive coordinator/tight ends coach, can help propel the 6-foot and 220-pound Daniels to a professional opportunity after the 2025 campaign.
Daniel Hishaw Jr., a redshirt senior, has the chance to be the lead running back for Kansas this fall as Neal makes the jump to the professional ranks. He’s already produced in the past, when available, despite how much the Jayhawks’ offense has relied upon Neal in recent years. As long as Hishaw takes advantage of this opportunity, the 5-foot-10 and 220-pound talent can put himself in position to become the latest running back for the program to be drafted.
Bryce Foster, listed at 6-foot-5 and 310 pounds, proved to be a valuable member of Kansas’ offensive line during his first season with the program in 2024 after transferring in from Texas A&M. At center, he became an All-Big 12 Conference, second team honoree this past fall. The Jayhawks have seen an offensive lineman selected in back-to-back NFL drafts, and he looks to be the favorite to make that a third-straight year in 2026.
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 [email protected] or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: These 5 Kansas football players could be selected in 2026 NFL Draft
Continue reading...
Neal and Cabeldue both were selected during the sixth round this year, Neal at 184th overall and Cabeldue at 192nd overall. Those picks mean the Jayhawks can now point back to back-to-back years in which they’ve had multiple selections. According to a KU release on Saturday following the draft, “With two draft picks for the second-consecutive season, the Jayhawks have now had multiple selections in back-to-back drafts for the first time since 1996-97.”
But while there’s a number of months between now and the 2026 edition of the NFL draft, are there players fans should be keeping an eye on as potential draftees next year? Whether they are familiar names from the 2024 season or newcomers, could they help ensure a streak of two-straight years of multiple selections becomes three? Is it possible there could be more than two picks in 2026?
RELATED: Where Kansas football players are going as un-drafted free agents after 2025 NFL Draft
Here’s a list of five Kansas players to watch out for:
Bangally Kamara (linebacker)
Bangally Kamara, a redshirt senior, is a newcomer on the Kansas roster who transferred in from South Carolina. Listed at 6-foot-2 and 235 pounds, he’s poised to be a key contributor for the Jayhawks and showcase what he proved himself capable of earlier in his college career at Pittsburgh. It’s not just his athleticism or natural football instinct he can be relied upon, but the reality the linebacker is becoming more and more of a leader for KU as it looks to bounce back this fall.
Emmanuel Henderson Jr. (wide receiver)
Emmanuel Henderson Jr., a senior, arrived at Kansas as a transfer from Alabama who was capable of taking a significant step forward as a talent if afforded that opportunity. During the spring, he undoubtedly impressed those around the program when it came to how much he could help a new-look wide receivers position group in 2025. The 6-foot-1 and 190-pound athlete has what it takes to be the Jayhawks’ No. 1 option at wide receiver this fall, and if the offense can rebound from what was disappointing run at times in 2024 his draft potential can rise significantly in the months to come.
Jalon Daniels (quarterback)
Jalon Daniels’ injury history and, at times, struggles during the 2024 season, could make this a challenging uphill battle for the Kansas’ starting quarterback. But Daniels, a redshirt senior, is still a dual-threat talent who’s played a pivotal role in the resurgence of the Jayhawks’ program in recent years. Maybe having Jim Zebrowski as the lead offensive coordinator, and Matt Lubick as the co-offensive coordinator/tight ends coach, can help propel the 6-foot and 220-pound Daniels to a professional opportunity after the 2025 campaign.
Daniel Hishaw Jr. (running back)
Daniel Hishaw Jr., a redshirt senior, has the chance to be the lead running back for Kansas this fall as Neal makes the jump to the professional ranks. He’s already produced in the past, when available, despite how much the Jayhawks’ offense has relied upon Neal in recent years. As long as Hishaw takes advantage of this opportunity, the 5-foot-10 and 220-pound talent can put himself in position to become the latest running back for the program to be drafted.
Bryce Foster (offensive lineman)
Bryce Foster, listed at 6-foot-5 and 310 pounds, proved to be a valuable member of Kansas’ offensive line during his first season with the program in 2024 after transferring in from Texas A&M. At center, he became an All-Big 12 Conference, second team honoree this past fall. The Jayhawks have seen an offensive lineman selected in back-to-back NFL drafts, and he looks to be the favorite to make that a third-straight year in 2026.
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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 [email protected] or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: These 5 Kansas football players could be selected in 2026 NFL Draft
Continue reading...
