Kansas Jayhawks Shine in Week 1 as PFF Grades Highlight Standout Performances

Friday night in Lawrence felt a little bit like a celebration. Kansas rolled out a 51‑6 rout of the Long Island University Sharks, racking up 613 total yards while holding the opposition to just 146. Those raw numbers already told a story, but Pro Football Focus added its own layer of detail, handing out grades to anyone who saw at least 15 snaps.

At the top of the list was wide receiver Nik McMillan, the Buffalo transfer who had been tipped to become the team’s go‑to target. McMillan finished with a sparkling 96.1 PFF grade after catching six passes for 130 yards and a touchdown. "He looked exactly like the No. 1 receiver we thought he’d be," one coach whispered on the sidelines.

Close behind, defensive end David Santiago earned a 94.9. He logged four tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and even recovered a fumble he forced late in the third quarter. The play helped seal a defensive performance that was the second‑best yardage total allowed in Lance Leipold’s six‑year tenure.

Surprisingly, the backup quarterback Cole Ballard edged out the starter in the PFF rankings with an 86.1. Ballard went 6‑for‑6 for 90 yards through the air and added a 14‑yard rush, proving that the depth chart has some reliable options.

Center Kasen Carpenter, the recent Oklahoma State transfer, posted an 84.9. His clean snaps and steady protection set the tone for an offensive line that seemed to click from the get‑go.

Starter Isaiah Marshall also turned heads. In his first start he completed 14 of 19 passes for 246 yards, tossed two touchdowns and sprinted for another 49 yards on the ground, netting an 83.3 grade. Even the other wideout, Bryson Hayes, earned a respectable 83.0.

For a quick snapshot, PFF’s top‑five from the game were:

🥇 WR Nik McMillan – 96.1
🥈 DE David Santiago – 94.9
🥉 QB Cole Ballard – 86.1
4️⃣ C Kasen Carpenter – 84.9
5️⃣ QB Isaiah Marshall – 83.3

Those grades are calculated play‑by‑play, looking at how well each athlete executed his assignment rather than just the box‑score. In PFF’s scale, anything above 90 is elite; the 80‑plus range marks very good work. Kansas’ early numbers suggest that the Jayhawks could be a serious contender this season.

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