Apologies for being a little later than our regular time this morning. Still adjusting to summer. Onward and upward.
Kansas Jayhawks Links
There’s a new big man that Bill Self is rumored to have his eyes on as he continues to rebuild the roster for the 2026-27 campaign. Sports Illustrated has the details:
However, a new name has emerged on the recruiting front that could be a huge pickup for the Jayhawks. According to Arkansas insider Michael Main, KU would be the favorite to land big man transfer Malique Ewin if he is
granted a fifth year of NCAA eligibility.
Will take.
The football program is also continuing to make some news on the recruiting front. They’ve landed a 3 star wide receiver from California. Michael Swain has a good write up on him:
The 6-foot-5 wide receiver is someone who the KU coaches have been recruiting for most of this year. KU extended an offer to the California native back in January. During the spring, Andy Kotelnicki went out to Southern California to meet with the wide receiver. KU wide receivers coach Terrence Samuel was also heavily involved over the course of this year.
Conner Mardian writes about Leopold and the programs success on the recruiting side and says their recent success shows they’re here to stay.
Despite all that, Leipold has consistently been able to pip talent across the nation, with a usual four-star signing headlining respective classes. For example, in Kansas’ 2026 class is four-star offensive tackle Kaden Snyder; in years prior, edge rusher Adrian Holley and edge D.J. Warner were the top dogs of their own class.
Baseball coach Dan Fitzgerald has been named the National Coach of the Year by Perfect Game. The first time a KU baseball coach has earned this honor:
Fitzgerald led his team to three championships over the course of this year: the Big 12 regular season title, the Big 12 Tournament title and the Lawrence Regional title. The Jayhawks were one of two teams nationally to win its conference’s regular season title outright, conference tournament title and advance to super regionals.
Other Links!
The tenor of Tuesday’s call being strongly against Texas Tech and Hocutt was an expected result, considering athletic directors in the league have said they are “disgusted,” “disheartened” and “sad” over the judge’s decision.
But the question remains whether the rhetoric will yield any results.
It’s World Cup time! ESPN has a preview and predictions here.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup has arrived! Four years after Argentina‘s triumph over France in Qatar, the latest edition of the world’s biggest sporting event kicks off with Mexico vs. South Africa on Thursday at 3 p.m. ET, the first of 104 games over the next several weeks.
We’ll actually be in Kansas City some this weekend and I’m looking forward to seeing if there’s much excitement that you can feel around town. The FIFA FanFest starts the festivities with some live music other things scheduled. Will report back.
Speaking of international soccer, the USWNT beat Brazil 1-0 in a game that featured EIGHT red cards and saw Brazil finish with only 9 players on the pitch. (pitch is what they call the field, right?)
Sophia Wilson forced an own goal in the second half for the United States in a scrappy 1-0 win over Brazil in Fortaleza on Tuesday night in which the home side finished with nine players and was shown a total of eight red cards.
Wembanyana avoids another flagrant?
Wembanyama will stay at two flagrant points in the postseason. Players who reach four flagrant points are subject to an automatic suspension.
QOTD: Since I’m going through KC this weekend, give me your best KC activity or restaurant to stop in.
