What Leroy Harris III is saying ahead of Kansas football’s 2026 season

FRISCO, Texas — Leroy Harris III described it as an honor, to have the chance to represent Kansas football at Big 12 Conference media days.

Harris, speaking in July in Frisco, Texas, enjoyed the experiences that came along with it. Getting to preview the Jayhawks’ game this season that will be played in London, was exciting, too. He’s excited to be able to go overseas this year and experience the culture there.

This season, Harris has a new defensive ends coach in Joe Dineen who’s been pushing him to take his game to the next level. Harris, himself, wants to showcase his versatility, his ability to drop back in coverage, rush the passer or set the edge. The junior defensive end wants to prove that he can be an asset as a professional in the NFL, regardless of the different styles of defense he would join.

RELATED: What Cam Pickett is saying ahead of Kansas football’s 2026 season

Here are some more takeaways from what Harris had to say:

Why did Leroy Harris III return to KU?

Harris enjoyed a breakout season with Kansas in 2025, leading the team in sacks after transferring in from Chattanooga despite the team’s campaign coming to a disappointing end. Why he came back, in his mind, was a no-brainer decision. He believes in the coaching staff, feels the defense fits him and wants to show what he can do with his athleticism.

Harris acknowledged there are always going to be people trying to pry someone like him away from KU, but he didn’t spend much time thinking about it. He appreciated how the Jayhawks welcomed him, and has aspirations of being viewed as one of the best players to ever come through the program. Maybe that leads to him jumping from college to the professional ranks after that season, and maybe not, but if not he’s ready to continue to play for Kansas.

Harris noted that if he’s not going to be picked in one of the first couple rounds, then it makes sense to come back to college and continue to develop.

Where has Leroy Harris III’s game developed the most?

Harris detailed that he’s improved the most with his pass rushing. As someone who was more of a safety and outside linebacker in high school, he detailed, transitioning to being a defensive end in college has been something he’s continued to work at. Now he has the opportunity to build on that in 2026, and potentially be an All-Big 12 Conference talent.

Harris said he played last year at around 250 pounds, and has been able to put on some weight in the offseason and get to the 270-pound range. Anything that’s 265 pounds and higher, is what he’s working with the nutritionist to stay at. From his perspective, if you can put on weight and still get faster, then that’s a good thing.

Currently, Harris is listed at 6-foot-5 and 260 pounds.

Who are some other Kansas players fans should keep an eye on?

On defense, Harris pointed to redshirt junior defensive end David Santiago (Michigan State transfer). Among the linebackers, Harris mentioned redshirt junior Quincy Davis (New Mexico State transfer) and redshirt senior Bam Crouch (Boston College transfer). In the secondary, Harris highlighted junior cornerback Jalen Todd.

On offense, among the running backs Harris pointed out junior Dylan Edwards (Kansas State transfer) and redshirt junior Yasin Willis (Syracuse transfer). At wide receiver, there are redshirt senior Nik McMillan (Buffalo transfer), senior Nahzae Cox (Middle Tennessee transfer) and redshirt senior Cam Pickett. All in all, Harris is confident in the talent on the roster this year.

The first time fans will be able to see these players compete in a game will be Sept. 4 at home against LIU.

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: What Leroy Harris III is saying ahead of Kansas football’s 2026 season