As Oklahoma State prepares to take on Kansas this week, the Cowboys will have their hands full with a Jayhawks team that’s been balanced and explosive on both sides of the ball. From a veteran quarterback who’s seen it all to an emerging playmaker at receiver and a young pass rusher coming into his own, here are three key Kansas players OSU must key in on heading into Saturday’s matchup.
QB Jalon Daniels – The Veteran Leader
It feels like Jalon Daniels has been in college forever. Thanks to a COVID year and a medical redshirt, the Kansas quarterback is now in his sixth collegiate season, and his experience shows. When Kansas burst onto the national scene in 2022, Daniels was the face of the program, making highlight plays with both his arm and legs.
After battling injuries the past two years, Daniels has stayed healthy this season and been a steady force for the Jayhawks’ offense. He’s thrown for 1,881 yards, 18 touchdowns, and just three interceptions, showing tremendous improvement in protecting the football. His dual-threat ability continues to make him one of the toughest quarterbacks in the Big 12 to defend.
Expect OSU to deploy a quarterback spy and stay disciplined in coverage because if Daniels escapes the pocket, he can hurt defenses in a hurry.
WR Emmanuel Henderson – The Big-Play Threat
Daniels’ top weapon on the outside has been Emmanuel Henderson, who has finally found his stride after transferring from Alabama. Henderson leads Kansas in receiving with 34 catches for 554 yards and four touchdowns, averaging nearly 70 yards per game.
He’s already shown the ability to take over games — including a 214-yard performance earlier this season — and has become a nightmare matchup for opposing secondaries. For Oklahoma State, whose pass defense has been one of the team’s weakest spots, keeping Henderson in check will be a top priority.
Expect the Cowboys to rotate coverage his way and try to limit his ability to stretch the field, especially on deep play-action shots where Kansas loves to strike.
DE Leroy Harris – The Disruptive Pass Rusher
On the defensive side, sophomore defensive end Leroy Harris has emerged as a bright spot for a Kansas defense that’s been inconsistent this year. Harris leads the Jayhawks with 4.5 sacks, flashing explosive athleticism off the edge and the ability to collapse pockets against veteran linemen.
While the Kansas defense has struggled at times, Harris has shown he can disrupt the rhythm of opposing quarterbacks. For Oklahoma State, keeping him contained will be crucial, especially with a line that’s still trying to find consistency in pass protection.
The Bottom Line
Oklahoma State will need a disciplined, focused effort to slow down this Kansas trio. Daniels’ poise, Henderson’s explosiveness, and Harris’ pass-rushing ability all pose serious threats in different phases of the game. If the Cowboys can limit those three, they’ll give themselves a much better shot at securing a much-needed win in Big 12 play.