Kansas tight end Leyton Cure talked this spring about the many ways he could follow in the footsteps of former KU tight end Jared Casey, another Kansan with a grinder’s mentality who became a cult hero and productive pass catcher during his time with the Jayhawks.
From the similarities in their styles of play to learning the entire playbook inside and out and doing, first and foremost, everything possible to benefit the team, Cure believes he can help fill Casey’s shoes in all of those ways for the Jayhawks in 2025.
Another way he can came to light on earlier this week, when Cure, who grew up in Goodland, was one of 197 players nationwide nominated for the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.
Allstate and the American Football Coaches Association announced Cure’s addition to the list just a couple of weeks shy of announcing Casey’s name to the same list ahead of the 2024 season.
These lists can be subjective and the players who land on them don’t always have a ton in common. But Cure and Casey certainly do when it comes to the ways they impact those around them.
According to a KU news release announcing Cure’s recent honor, the Good Works Team “recognizes student-athletes from around the country for exemplary community service, academic dedication and impact on and off the field.” The release also noted that Cure is one of the most active players on the current roster in community outreach events.
He's been a leader in the program's summer community service initiative and also participated in several community cleanup events, summer camps, youth engagement activities and more.
Cure’s time on the field has been limited during his time at KU, though he did start on Senior Day last year in the Jayhawks’ home win over Colorado.
But his impact in the classroom and the community — both Kansas football and the greater Lawrence area — has been nothing shy of rock solid.
After coming to Kansas as a transfer from Fort Hays State, where he was a three-time recipient of the MIAA Academic Excellence Award with a 4.0 grade-point average and also was named to the MIAA Academic Honor Roll in 2021, 2022 and 2023, Cure earned a spot on the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team in 2024.
Both through his own studies and inspiring those around him, Cure also played in a role in the KU football program recording back-to-back GPA records last fall and spring, including a 3.46 team GPA during the second semester.
Cure played in all 12 games for the Jayhawks last season, including a lot of time spent in routes at tight end. But he did not record any receptions or yards during that time.
This year, with veterans Casey and Trevor Kardell having moved on and Cure being familiar with the KU offense and offensive philosophy, he’ll look to add a little production on the field to his academic impact.
A healthy DeShawn Hanika and newcomer Boden Groen, a transfer from Rice, will also be leaned on to make up for the absence of Casey and Kardell. And there's depth in the tight end room, as well, with returners Jaden Hamm, Quinton Conley and Carson Bruhn all back, as well.
But it seems safe to suggest that there's room for Cure to have a role beyond setting a good example in the community.
This spring, KU tight ends coach Matt Lubick, who also will serve as the team’s co-offensive coordinator in his return to the program after two seasons away, said he liked what he saw from Cure on film, especially when it came to the many ways the redshirt senior can use his different strengths and skills.
“He had limited tape last year, but he did some good things,” Lubick said. “He did a good job in the run game and (he has shown) that he can be a vertical threat and he’s physical. We’re able to do a lot of things, with him in particular, that’s going to make our offense better.”
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