Kansas’ Reliable QB2 with Dual- Threat Grit Behind Jalon Daniels
Cole Ballard, a 6-2, 218-pound redshirt junior QB for Kansas, secured the QB2 role in 2025 by beating Isaiah Marshall, completing 10-of-22 passes for 108 yards and 1 TD while adding 92 rushing yards on 15 carries [1][6]. His differentiator is intense, low-mistake preparation and a gritty dual-threat style that shines in short-yardage situations, even if his 38.9 QBR reflects limited volume behind star Jalon Daniels [1][3]. Ballard shows no injury history, wears #15 for personal significance (born on the 15th), and brings a team-first, coachable personality that elevates depth [6][9]. While not a weekly starter in 2025, his reliability and rushing ability make him a strong fit for teams needing a high-intensity backup QB who can execute in a pinch [3][5].
