Here are some Kansas football players to watch for 2027 NFL Draft

LAWRENCE — Kansas football had multiple players selected during the 2026 NFL Draft in April, as Enrique Cruz Jr. and Emmanuel Henderson Jr. learned where they would start their professional careers.

Cruz, an offensive lineman, went in the fifth round to the San Francisco 49ers. He was a redshirt senior this past season, and KU’s starting right tackle. He emerged as a high-profile draft prospect over the course of the season and was one of the Kansas players invited to the NFL combine.

Henderson, a wide receiver, went in the sixth round to the Seattle Seahawks. He was a senior this past season, and became an All-Big 12 Conference first team honoree as a returner and All-Big 12 third team honoree as a wide receiver. Henderson was also invited to the NFL combine.

But, now, the conversation has shifted toward what might be possible for the Jayhawks in 2027. The focus is on which players on the roster right now could be the next ones to hear their names called during the NFL draft. And while some of them could even return after this upcoming season, there are some athletes with potential who could emerge themselves this fall.

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Here’s a list of five Kansas players to keep an eye on:

Trey Lathan

Trey Lathan, a 6-foot-1 and 224-pound linebacker, will be a redshirt senior for Kansas this season. He led the team in tackles in 2025, after transferring in from West Virginia. If the Jayhawks make the improvements they’re setting out to as a defense this year, he’ll be a candidate to be an All-Big 12 talent.

Calvin Clements

Calvin Clements, a 6-foot-7 and 327-pound offensive lineman, will be a redshirt junior for Kansas this season. He served as the Jayhawks’ starting left tackle last season, and has continued to improve over the course of his college career. KU has had an offensive lineman selected in each of the past three NFL drafts.

Cam Pickett

Cam Pickett, a 6-foot and 200-pound wide receiver, will be a redshirt senior for Kansas this season. He tied for the team lead in receptions last year with Henderson, after transferring in from Ball State. He has the experience and versatility to enjoy another standout season this fall.

Nik McMillan

Nik McMillan, a 6-foot-1 and 193-pound wide receiver, will be a redshirt senior for Kansas this season. He’s a transfer from Buffalo, so this will be his first fall with the Jayhawks. However, he is coming in after tying for the team lead at Buffalo in receptions and leading it in receiving yards, so he could have the momentum to make the most out of a move to KU.

Leroy Harris III

Leroy Harris III, a 6-foot-5 and 260-pound defensive end, will be a junior for Kansas this season. He was a breakout player for the Jayhawks last fall, after transferring in from Chattanooga, and led the team in sacks. Like Lathan, Harris was an honorable mention All-Big 12 player last season, and like Lathan he could be much more than that this year.

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 jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Potential 2027 NFL Draft picks for Kansas football: Trey Lathan, more