Jayhawks chase NFL dreams! Daniels to Tampa Bay, Marjan to Pittsburgh, Wentz to Seattle. Several former Kansas stars land UDFA deals.
Multiple Kansas Players Land UDFA Deals Following 2026 NFL Draft
While two Jayhawks heard their names called during the 2026 NFL Draft, several others quickly found opportunities at the next level as undrafted free agents.
Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels is headed to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after agreeing to a deal that includes a $247,000 guaranteed base salary and a $25,000 signing bonus, according to NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero. Despite going undrafted, Daniels drew interest throughout the pre-draft process and is coming off a strong 2025 campaign in which he threw for 2,531 yards and 22 touchdowns while adding 404 rushing yards and four scores.
Kicker Laith Marjan signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers following a standout season on special teams. The South Alabama transfer finished 14-of-17 on field goals and a perfect 40-of-40 on extra points, while also drilling a long of 55 yards. He earned a Hula Bowl invitation and participated in the NFL Combine Specialist Showcase.
Wide receiver Levi Wentz is joining the Seattle Seahawks, linking up with fellow Jayhawk Emmanuel Henderson Jr., who was selected in the sixth round. Wentz hauled in 16 passes for 258 yards and two touchdowns in his lone season at Kansas after transitioning from defense earlier in his college career.
Several other Jayhawks who participated in the pre-draft process remained unsigned as of late Saturday night, including Kobe Baynes, Bryson Canty, Kenean Caldwell, Tommy Dunn Jr., Devin Dye, Jalen Dye, Doug Emilien, Justice Finkley, Bryce Foster, Nolan Gorczyca, D.J. Graham II, Boden Groen, DeShawn Hanika, Daniel Hishaw Jr., Bangally Kamara, Finn Lappin, Leshon Williams and D.J. Withers.
Kansas continues to see strong representation at the professional level, with multiple players earning opportunities to prove themselves in NFL camps.
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Seahawks Select Kansas WR Emmanuel Henderson Jr. in Sixth Round of 2026 NFL Draft
The defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks added speed and versatility to their roster Saturday, selecting Kansas wide receiver Emmanuel Henderson Jr. with the No. 199 overall pick in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Henderson becomes the first Jayhawk wide receiver drafted since 2010, when Kerry Meier and Dezmon Briscoe were selected.
It also marks the second straight year Seattle has taken a Kansas player in the sixth round after selecting offensive lineman Bryce Cabeldue in 2025.
A former running back recruit at Alabama, Henderson transitioned to wide receiver but saw limited action during his three seasons with the Crimson Tide. His career took off after transferring to Kansas, where he became a key weapon for quarterback Jalon Daniels in 2025.
Henderson finished his lone season in Lawrence with 45 receptions for 766 yards and five touchdowns, including a standout 214-yard performance against Cincinnati. While defenses began to key in on him late in the year, his explosiveness remained evident.
He made just as big of an impact on special teams, earning first-team All-Big 12 honors as a returner. Henderson averaged 25.3 yards per kick return and took one 94 yards to the house against West Virginia.
At 6-foot-1, 190 pounds, the Hartford, Alabama native showcased his speed at the NFL Scouting Combine, running a 4.44-second 40-yard dash.
Now, Henderson heads to Seattle as a dynamic playmaker with the ability to contribute both at receiver and in the return game.