​Kansas head coach Lance Leipold and team representatives took the podium on the second day of Big 12 Media Days, concluding the eventful slate at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas. The Jayhawks joined the festivities on the final day as the Big 12 kicked off a busy summer of media appearances across the major conferences.
Leipold spoke for about 15 minutes, fielding questions on a variety of topics—from the team’s running back room to the challenge of a Week 3 trip to London. The backfield will feature some familiar and new faces, including transfer Willis, who had a standout season at Syracuse last year, rushing 129 times for 558 yards and four touchdowns. He has joined Kansas and will pair with Dylan Edwards in the backfield.
“He’s a big back, a physical runner, a downhill guy who can move the pile,” Leipold said. “We really like the depth we’ve built at running back, and Yasin’s addition alongside Dylan Edwards gives us two distinct running styles that should bring explosiveness and versatility to our offense.”
Kansas will head to London in Week 3 to face Arizona State at Wembley Stadium on Sept. 19, a game that will be followed by a bye week. Leipold addressed the positives and negatives of the overseas trip.
“I think it builds unity for both of our programs and for the conference,” he remarked. “There are certainly challenges, too. The commissioner presented this opportunity to us, and it involves giving up a home game. We’re in the middle of Phase II of our stadium renovation with reduced capacity, so that was part of the equation. Still, I’m focused on the student-athlete experience and believe we’re offering a once-in-a-lifetime chance for our players to go over there and compete. Playing Week 3 will be unique and come with its own set of challenges—acclimating to a time change, managing meals, and arranging practice facilities. I had the chance to visit in April, and the setup should be exceptional. Competing in one of the most iconic stadiums in the world will be a special experience. But, as you and Kenny have noted, the priority is to have our teams prepared to play that day and then stay sharp for the nine-game stretch that follows.”
On the topic of the 2025 Kansas State–Iowa State season opener, which will be played overseas, Leipold discussed strategies for avoiding a letdown after the trip. “After you travel and play that game, if you win, everything feels good. If you don’t, you’re reminded that the rest of the season will be tough,” he explained. He noted that this year’s Week 3 kickoff presents a different challenge in that both teams will have to rebound quickly for the next game, much like last year’s Kansas State-Iowa State opener. “Whether it was against an FCS opponent or someone else, teams had to recover and prepare for the following Saturday, and that remains a difficult task. I’m hopeful we have a solid plan to ensure our team is confident and well-prepared for the road ahead.”