From High to Low: Jayhawks Celebrate a DL Win, Then Take a Hit

Only hours earlier, Carter became the 18th verbal in KU’s 2026 haul—and the third DL, joining EDGE Hunter Higgins and interior lineman Landen Anderson—signaling strong momentum up front.

Carter’s pledge reinforced Coach Lance Leipold’s strategy of building a deep and versatile defensive line rotation capable of confronting frontline-heavy foes in the Big 12.

Landen Anderson, a three-star DL out of Edmond Santa Fe who committed January 27, 2025, surprised the program by withdrawing his verbal pledge. Sources close to the player say Anderson is reevaluating his options, and the KU staff was informed on Monday that he no longer plans to sign with the Jayhawks.

This loss alters the class dynamic: Anderson was seen as the anchor of the DL haul, projected to play as a size- and length-based interior piece. His departure brings the DL totals back to two—and creates a clear opening if the Jayhawks want to re-center attention on the trenches.

Kansas’ defensive line class now has one fewer player, but also one more energized commitment from Carter. The challenge ahead: filling the lost potential Anderson brought while maintaining the credibility of the defensive line.

It’ll be a litmus test of Leipold’s staff—can they pivot and keep the DL haul advancing toward what was shaping up as a top-tier Big 12 collection?