Game log · Week-by-week
2026 season · 2 games
| Wk | Opp | CMP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | YPA | QBR | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wk 1 | W 51-6vs Long Island University | 4/6 | 90 | 0 | 0 | 15.0 | 88.2 | Season-high 90 yds |
| Wk 2 | L 21-38vs Missouri | 1/1 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6.0 | -- | |
| Total | 5/7 | 96 | 0 | 0 | 10.5 | 88.2 |
#15
Cole Ballard
Junior quarterback for Kansas. 2026: 2 games with a box-score line.
6′2″ · 220 lb · Westfield, IN · Westfield HS
Returning to Kansas for 2026
The numbers
96
passing yards · 2026
0 INT · 13.7 per attempt
2 games into 2026 so far -- Best game: 90 pass yds, 14 rush yds, vs Long Island University
His career numbers, season by seasonThe story
3 quarterback for Kansas. 2026: 2 games with a box-score line.
- 108 passing yards in 2025. Then 96 in 2026.
Buzz vs Tape
Every angle we can check here reads about where you'd expect this season.
22.8own fans
28.5national conversation
Also checked out fine:
Cole Ballard
Fourth year in the Kansas quarterback room, same address the whole way. The receipt: 90 pass yds, 14 rush yds against Long Island University — Week 1, 2026.
96 PASS YDS · 0 PASS TD · 14 RUSH YDS
Low coverage — composed from the verified record.
- season totals
- seasons on the roster
- game log
Career arc
HS
Recruit
—
CFB
College
Kansas
NFL
NFL Draft
—
Coaching lineage · 2023–2026
1 coach2023–2026
Kansas
Played his entire career under Lance Leipold.
2026 snapshot
Season context · Team result + system
4 seasons under Lance Leipold — 20-19 over that span.
2023Kansas9-4HC: Lance Leipold · Run-heavy, slow tempo
2024Kansas5-7HC: Lance Leipold · Run-leaning
2025Kansas5-7HC: Lance Leipold · Run-leaning
2026Kansas1-1HC: Lance Leipold · Run-heavy
Where this profile ranks vs the QB cohort
Box-score percentiles
Elite: yards / att (100th percentile). Strength: interceptions (92nd percentile). Concern: pass yards (0th percentile).
Box-score rates (7)
Percentiles versus same-position peers with enough snaps this season, based on box-score rates.
Splits & context
Splits
Per-game splits
Through 2 games: 48.0 YDS/g, 0.0 TD/g, 10.5 YPA, 0.0 INT/g — splits start at 3 games.
Supporting cast · Scheme
Staff and system around the player
Head Coach
Lance Leipold
Scheme reads (pass share, tempo, sack rate) need at least 3 team games — 2 games in so far.
Awards
Player standing · 2026
Backup
On the two-deep and pushing for snaps.
Roster2-deepStarterRecognizedEliteApex
Career stats
Signature game
SIGNATURE GAME · Week 1 · 2026
W 51–6
90 yds · 0 TD · 0 INT · QBR 88.2 · 14 rush yds (1 car)
Dominant 45-point win at home against Long Island University.
With I. Marshall — 246 yds · 2 TD · 0 INT · QBR 80.7 · 49 rush yds (7 car) · N. McMillan — 6 rec · 130 yds · 1 TD
Game log
How he plays
2026 Outlook
Kansas
2026 Depth chart
Projected starter
Quarterback · Kansas
Returning around him
- 18% of 2024 offensive production back (Heavy turnover)
- 2 Kansas players drafted to NFL
- Transfer portal: +5 net (31 in / 26 out)
2026 Award watch
No preseason watch lists yet (most drop June 15 – July 15)
Kansas · Last season: 5-7 · Talent rank #62 · 2026 recruiting class #61
Heisman trajectory
Heisman Trajectory · 2026
Peak #200
Peaked at #200 this season.
Background
Get to Know Cole ... What is the significance behind your jersey number? I was born on the 15th and have worn 15 in every sport since. Who is your biggest role model? My father is my biggest role model because he has shown me how to be a man and treat others with respect. Tell us about your homet...
Stats from CFBD · ESPN · fan discourse. Every figure computed from source tables — not invented. Methodology