Kansas Football Adds Power Conference Transfer RB

Kansas football just added another piece to its growing transfer haul with the commitment of Syracuse running back Yasin Willis. This one might not have blown up on social media, but in the context of what the Jayhawks are building, it’s a solid pickup that makes a lot of sense.

Willis is a 6‑foot‑1 sophomore from Newark, New Jersey, who spent the last two seasons with the Orange. In his Syracuse career he logged 165 carries for 688 yards and five rushing touchdowns, averaging 4.2 yards per carry. Those aren’t insane numbers, but it’s legitimate production at the Power Four level, and it goes a long way toward replacing key losses in the Kansas backfield from 2025.

We talk a lot about splash plays and highlight guys here and there, but teams win by stacking dependable contributors who know how to take what the defense gives them and make the most of it. Willis fits that mold. He’s not going to jump off the screen every time he touches the ball, but that 4.2 yards per carry tells you he moves the chains and gets tough yardage. Add in his experience facing ACC fronts, and you’ve got somebody who’s seen some legit defenses and held up.

This marks Kansas’ 11th incoming transfer of the portal cycle, and it’s another piece in what’s been a very active group of additions. The Jayhawks have been aggressively retooling this roster, and while not every addition has been a household name, they’ve been consistent about bringing in players with experience and production. Willis might be unranked in the portal on 247Sports right now, but numbers and tape often matter more than stars and rankings.

Kansas hasn’t stopped building, and picking up a back with two years of eligibility left and Power Four experience is exactly the kind of steady move a program trying to get to the next level needs right now.