Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels drops the ball in the end zone after scoring a rushing touchdown against Arizona in Arizona Stadium on Nov. 8, 2025. Daniels now plays for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Jesus Portillo / Special to The Kansan
The NFL season is finally here and will kick off when the Seattle Seahawks host the New England Patriots on Wednesday night. Many former Kansas football players may have been released or waived, but there are still five Jayhawks who will be on a team’s 53-man roster for the opening week.Â
Jalon Daniels
Daniels is on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and will be the team’s backup quarterback. He earned the role after performing well in training camp as an undrafted free agent. Daniels beat out Jake Browning and Connor Bazelak for a spot behind Baker Mayfield and enters the season being only one play away from having to lead the Buccaneers.Â
Austin Booker
Booker is on the Chicago Bears and will be at left defensive end behind Montez Sweat. The Bears drafted Booker 144th overall in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, and in his first two seasons with Chicago, he tallied 56 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 6 sacks, 3 pass deflections and 1 forced fumble. Booker has been dealing with a groin injury but is expected to play a big role in the Bears’ defense once he’s fully healthy.Â
Bryce Cabeldue
Cabeldue is on the Seattle Seahawks and is currently listed as the third right guard on the depth chart. Cabeldue was drafted 192nd overall by the Seahawks in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The offensive lineman might not be Seattle’s first option, but he certainly gives the team the depth it needs as he plays behind Anthony Bradford and Christian Haynes.
Enrique Cruz Jr.Â
Cruz is on the San Francisco 49ers and is third on the depth chart at left tackle behind Trent Williams and Vederian Lowe. Cruz was drafted 179th overall by the 49ers in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. In his rookie season, Cruz will have the opportunity to learn a lot from Williams, who’s been named First-team All-Pro three times.
Dominick Puni
Puni is also on the 49ers and is the only former Jayhawk to enter the season as a starter; he is also the team’s only right guard on the depth chart. Puni was drafted 86th overall by San Francisco in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft. He had a strong rookie season after being named to the Pro Football Writers of America’s All-Rookie team in 2024. Now heading into his third season, Puni dealt with a concussion in August but will have the responsibility of protecting Brock Purdy.
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This article was edited by Sports Editor Eric Lucio. If the information in this article needs to be corrected, please contact ericlucio12@ku.edu.