KU football’s backup QB competition has two leaders. They bring different styles
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Cole Ballard and Isiah Marshall continue competing for Kansas' backup QB role.
- Both quarterbacks received praise for growth, chemistry, and playbook command.
- Offensive staff emphasized readiness, noting either QB could play in 2025.
Kansas quarterback Cole Ballard is in the midst of a fierce competition with Isaiah Marshall for the backup role behind veteran Jalon Daniels.
Still, he’s all smiles when asked about Marshall. That’s not exactly a surprise, as the pair have worked out together quite a bit and developed a close bond over the last year.
“Zeke’s a phenomenal competitor,” Ballard said. (Zeke is Marshall’s nickname.) “Me and him are always going at it. At the same time, that’s my guy. So whenever he makes a good play, I’m the first one over there. Whenever I make a good play, he’s the first one coming up to me.
“I think that’s really cool that we have that relationship. We both know it’s the coach’s decision at the end of the day. So we are going to go out, push each other, compete, love each other and see what happens.”
This is the second straight preseason camp in which the pair have competed for the backup role behind Daniels. Last season, Ballard earned the backup spot while then-freshman Marshall was named third-string QB.
Both players understand how important winning the backup role is, as this is the last season before they’ll compete for the starting job; Daniels is in his final year of eligibility at KU.
The two offer different skill sets. Ballard is a bit of a gunslinger who is not afraid to take the tough hit to get extra yards. At 6-foot-2, 215-pounds, Ballard is described as a “fiery, competitive dude” by his teammates.
The former third-string walk-on played real game snaps in 2023 after then-backup Jason Bean was injured vs. Texas Tech. The Jayhawks lost the game, but Ballard held his own. He led the team back from a 13-0 deficit to tie the score late in the fourth quarter. He finished 9-of-20 passing for 124 yards and one interception.
Meanwhile, Marshall is a dual-threat quarterback who led his team to a state championship as a high school senior. The former three-star recruit from Southfield, Michigan, is one of the most athletic players on the squad. In his short time at Kansas, he’s improved his top-end speed and his vertical by five inches (34 inches to 39).
Now, in Year 2 of fall camp, he noted he’s much more comfortable with college ball — even while he continues to grow.
“Knowing protections more and be stronger with my cadence,” Marshall said of his development plan. “Besides that, just work on the small stuff again, like fundamentals, footwork, staying balanced.”
Ultimately, both players know their opportunity to play could come soon rather than later. It’s what Kansas offensive coordinator Jim Zebrowski has reiterated since both players arrived in Lawrence.
He also noted both players have had a strong summer and have a better grasp of concepts and the playbook this fall camp.
As for what Zebrowski wants from his QB2?
“A guy who acts like he’s a starter,” he said. “He prepares like he’s a starter. To me, it really helps if the guy has similar skill sets to the guy you’re starting because a lot of time your offense is dictated by what your kid can do at quarterback.
“Right now, we have five guys that are not exactly Jalon’s skill set, obviously, but have the ability to run the offense and we can maintain the offense. Cole and Isaiah are at the top of that list. They both can run exactly what we are doing.”
This story was originally published August 6, 2025 at 4:30 PM with the headline "KU football’s backup QB competition has two leaders. They bring different styles."
