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Kansas Football Reveals Three Team Captains for 2025 Season

Kansas head coach Lance Leipold named the Jayhawks’ three team captains for the upcoming campaign.
Kansas redshirt senior quarterback Jalon Daniels (6) spins a football during practice at the outdoor practice fields in Lawrence on July 24, 2025.
Kansas redshirt senior quarterback Jalon Daniels (6) spins a football during practice at the outdoor practice fields in Lawrence on July 24, 2025. | Evert Nelson/The Capital-Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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As the Week 0 opener against Fresno State approaches, head coach Lance Leipold named the program’s three permanent team captains on Monday.

Two of the captains are returning players, while the third is a newcomer who has already earned the trust of the coaching staff.

Quarterback Jalon Daniels, center Bryce Foster, and Texas transfer defensive end Justice Finkley will serve as captains with a fourth rotating spot yet to be determined.

Daniels is a captain for the fourth time in his career as he enters his sixth year in Lawrence. The star quarterback was inconsistent throughout the 2024 season, but remains one of the most talented signal-callers in the Big 12.

If the California native stays healthy, he is capable of being the best passer in the conference and one of the most impactful players in college football.

Foster is the most NFL-ready talent on the roster and could be the best snapper in the nation this season.

The senior center was ranked the No. 134 overall player in Pro Football Focus’s 2026 Big Board, making him a potential Day 2 pick next April.

Additionally, he was an All-Big 12 Second Team selection last season and has continued to build a reputation as one of the most powerful and talented linemen in the nation.

With Daniels and Foster being the captains on the offensive end, Kansas will welcome a newcomer on the other side of the ball. The third captain, Justice Finkley, is the most surprising name on the list.

The Texas transfer defensive end is entering his first year in Lawrence, but coaches and teammates have praised him since he joined the program.

"You would think he's a fifth-year senior here, not coming here in January," positions coach Taiwo Onatolu said about Finkley earlier this month.

Although he has not yet played a game for the Jayhawks, Finkley has stood out as the most vocal leader on defense, which should have fans excited for his on-field play.

Meanwhile, a rotating fourth captain will join this group on a weekly basis on the defensive front. Other candidates include fellow pass-rusher Dean Miller or one of KU's other transfer additions, like Bangally Kamara or Lyrik Rawls.

Still, the trio of Daniels, Foster, and Finkley will serve as the consistent captains of the locker room for the 2025 season.

With the season opener just days away, Kansas has its leaders in place for what will hopefully be a bounce-back year for Leipold and the program.

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Joshua Schulman
JOSHUA SCHULMAN

A lifelong Kansas basketball and football fan, Josh recently graduated from The College of New Jersey, majoring in Communications and minoring in Journalism. Josh has over 1,500 published articles on KU athletics across Kansas on SI and FanSided's Through the Phog, with additional work at Indiana on SI, Notre Dame on SI, and Pro Football Network. Josh looks to provide a fan's perspective in his writing for the school he has loved since he was a kid. KC Sports Network is the premier destination for Kansas City sports fans with podcasts, YouTube and social media content. Stay connected with the latest news and analysis by following KCSN on all social media platforms.

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