Kansas Jayhawks football statistical leaders

The Kansas Jayhawks football statistical leaders are individual statistical leaders of the Kansas Jayhawks football program in various categories,[1] including passing, rushing, receiving, total offense, defensive stats, and kicking. Within those areas, the lists identify single-game, single-season, and career leaders. The Jayhawks represent the University of Kansas in the NCAA Division I FBS Big 12 Conference.

Although Kansas began competing in intercollegiate football in 1890,[1] the school's official record book considers the "modern era" to have begun in 1937. Records from before this year are often incomplete and inconsistent, and they are generally not included in these lists.

These lists are dominated by more recent players for several reasons:

  • Since 1937, seasons have increased from 10 games to 11 and then 12 games in length.
  • The NCAA didn't allow freshmen to play varsity football until 1972 (with the exception of the World War II years).
  • Bowl games only began counting toward single-season and career statistics in 2002.[2] The Jayhawks have played in six bowl games since then, allowing players in those seasons an extra game to accumulate statistics.
  • The Jayhawks eclipsed 5,000 total yards in a season six times since 2002 allowing players from this era to rack up yards and touchdowns and make their way up these lists. Additionally, rule changes have allowed for offenses to be more productive than in the past.
  • Due to COVID-19 issues, the NCAA ruled that the 2020 season would not count against the athletic eligibility of any football player, giving everyone who played in that season the opportunity for five years of eligibility instead of the normal four.[3]

These lists are updated through the end of the 2023 season.

  1. ^ a b "2023 Kansas Jayhawks Football Media Guide" (PDF). Kansas Jayhawks. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  2. ^ "NCAA changes policy on football stats". ESPN.com. AP. August 28, 2002. Retrieved September 11, 2014.
  3. ^ Cobb, David (August 21, 2020). "NCAA approves blanket waiver for 2020 fall sports athletes to retain year of eligibility". CBSSports.com. Retrieved November 27, 2021.