Can Leroy Harris carry Kansas to a win in Manhattan this weekend?

When you’re facing a daunting task and gunning for a big win, perhaps in a somewhat improbable situation, it helps if you’ve got a guy who can lead you into battle. 

Past Kansas football teams have had players who fit that bill, not the least of which was quarterback Jalon Daniels or running back Devin Neal in recent years. Going even further back, you’re talking Todd Reesing, Kerry Meier, Aqib Talib and more. 

So, as the 2-3 Jayhawks get set to travel down I-70 to take on Kansas State in this year’s Sunflower Showdown — 11 a.m. Saturday at Bill Snyder Family Stadium in Manhattan on FS1 — is it possible that KU has that guy on its roster? 

For my money, his name is Leroy Harris III, a junior defensive end who has had a sensational start to the 2026 season, even if the wins and plays by his teammates haven’t always piled up around him. 

Harris, who received insanely high praise from his coaches throughout the offseason for the person he is, the work he put in and the jump they believed he would make, has been a monster for the improved Kansas defense during the first five games of the season. 

Harris, a 6-foot-5, 270-pound defensive end from Brentwood, Tennessee, who runs like a track star, hits like a strong safey and harasses quarterbacks and ball carriers like a middle school bully, leads the Big 12 in tackles for loss (9.5) and forced fumbles (3) and also sits tied for third in sacks (3). 

“He’s just a ballplayer, and that’s really what it’s about.”

— KU defensive lineman Blake Herold on teammate Leroy Harris III

He’s been a factor on KU’s special teams, blocking a field goal that led to a touchdown against Missouri, and also has stood out on a few dozen plays this season that did not lead to him recording any stats.

Here’s the thing, though. None of this has come as any kind of surprise to his teammates. 

“He’s just a ballplayer, and that’s really what it’s about,” defensive lineman Blake Herold recently told R1S1 Sports when asked what stood out to him about Harris. “You can teach drills and techniques all you want, but when you’re out there some of that stuff isn’t like it is in a drill, so you just have to be a ballplayer and I really like that out of him.” 

Herold, now in his fourth year with the KU program, still remembers his first thoughts when KU brought Harris in from Chattanooga ahead of the 2025 season. 

The D-End was coming off of a solid season at the FCS school and had clear upside, but he was closer to 230 pounds back then and it showed. 

“I was like, ‘Dude, who did you guys bring in here,’” Herold recalled, laughing at the thought. 

It didn’t take him long to figure it out. 

Even in his first season with the Jayhawks, Harris led the team in sacks (4.5) and pass breakups (8), showcasing the versatility that has become one of his biggest strengths while sparking in the minds of his teammates and coaches how big his potential truly is. 

“Just his size and strength, being that tall and that long and being able to move the way he does — 21 mph — he’s for sure a freakish athlete,” Herold said. “Leroy continuing to grow is gonna be great for this defense and this team.” 

Added KU defensive lineman Alex Bray: “He put on size pretty quick. He’s a monster now. He’s a dog. It’s fun to watch him. He’s a good dude but he can turn it on when he’s on the field. He’s got the length, he’s explosive off the ball, he’s powerful at the point of attack. He’s got all the tools that you need to go out there and be successful.”

Asked recently about Harris’ strong start to the season — in particular, him forcing a fumble in three straight games against Missouri, Arizona State and Middle Tennessee — KU coach Lance Leipold said he was thrilled with the defensive end’s production, effort, growth and leadership. 

Harris has become the heartbeat of the KU defense and the model for the way the Kansas coaching staff wants its players to play on both sides of the ball, but especially on defense. 

“I don't know if there's many more things Leroy does that really surprises me,” Leipold said. “Because, you know, he has such a high ceiling and he continues to do things. But every week there seems to be a little bit more.”

Harris did not force a fumble in last week’s loss at Utah, but he did register 2.5 tackles for loss, with 2 of them being sacks, adding another highlight to his fantastic first five games. 

One of the things his teammates like the most about Harris’ game is how matter-of-fact he is about all of it. Whether he puts up big numbers in massive moments or makes the right read on a play where he does not even record a stat, Harris is equally pleased with himself for simply doing his job. 

“I try to keep the main thing the main thing,” Harris said earlier this season when asked to look ahead to what promised to be a big year. “I try to focus on getting better every day and the rest will take care of itself.” 

He continued: “Coming from FCS, I’m just blessed to be here and I’ve been taking advantage of all the resources we have here, the training room, all the people we have to work with. We’ve got a bunch of support staff and I wasn’t used to that. So, I’ve gotten used to utilizing all of that and my body’s in a better spot because of it — athletically, physically, getting coached, football-wise; it’s just all-around improvement.” 

Added Bray: “I think he knows his potential, but he’s not focused on what’s down the road. He’s focused on what’s in front of him.”

Right now, that’s a massive chance to defeat Kansas State and snap the Wildcats’ 17-game winning streak in the Sunflower Showdown series. 

If he helps the Jayhawks do that, Harris will be remembered for a long time around here, no matter what his stats in this game look like. 

Saturday’s kickoff from Bill Snyder Family Stadium in Manhattan is slated for 11 a.m. on FS1.

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