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Lance Leipold Says Kansas Can Win With Either Quarterback As Battle Continues
Kansas still hasn't named a starting quarterback, but head coach Lance Leipold made one thing clear at Big 12 Media Days: he believes the Jayhawks can win with either Cole Ballard or Isaiah Marshall.
Speaking Wednesday in Frisco, Texas, Leipold addressed the competition that has taken center stage following the departure of longtime starter Jalon Daniels.
"I think that we have two quarterbacks that we can win football games with, without a doubt," Leipold said. "We have two young men that are excellent people, they're two good football players, they're well respected in the locker room, they're excellent leaders."
Neither Ballard nor Marshall accompanied the Jayhawks to Media Days as the competition remains unresolved heading into fall camp. Ballard has attempted just 64 passes during his career, while Marshall has thrown only three, making the battle one of the biggest storylines entering the 2026 season.
Leipold said much of that inexperience stems from Daniels' durability over the past two seasons.
"Jalon played 24 straight games for us the last two years," Leipold said. "Unfortunately that doesn't mean anyone else got to play much at quarterback. So that's where the uncertainty goes."
Still, Leipold believes both quarterbacks are more prepared than their game experience suggests because of the practice reps they've accumulated over the years.
"Jalon never went through a spring in my time as a head coach in full," Leipold said. "People forget that... when Jalon wasn't practicing, Cole Ballard and Isaiah Marshall were getting reps. So they have a lot of banked reps of time. Now it's time for them to go out and execute and play."
Leipold has repeatedly emphasized that consistency and decision-making will determine who earns the starting job. Even then, he hinted the competition may not completely end once a starter is named.
"Once we name a starter, I still wouldn't be surprised if both guys are going to play in games on a weekly basis," Leipold said.
With Andy Kotelnicki back as offensive coordinator, Kansas hopes whichever quarterback wins the job can help lead the Jayhawks back to the explosive offensive production that fueled bowl appearances in 2022 and 2023.
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