Wichita (Kan.) <a href="https://www.on3.com/high-school/maize-south-wichita-ks-5829/">Maize South</a> 2026 defensive lineman <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/hunter-higgins-238508/">Hunter Higgins</a> has committed to Kansas. He announced his intentions Wednesday during a ceremony at his school.



The 6-foot-5, 240-pound Higgins chooses the in-state Jayhawks over his other finalists in Michigan, Wisconsin and Nebraska.



“I chose them because I want to be a part of what they’re building and be a part of the turn around,” Higgins said.



Higgins becomes <a href="https://www.on3.com/college/kansas-jayhawks/football/2026/commits/">commit No. 4 for head coach Lance Leipold and his staff in the 2026 class</a> joining safety/receiver <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/james-dunnigan-jr-240347/">James Dunnigan Jr.</a> and quarterback <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/jaylen-mason-162616/">Jaylen Mason</a> who also hail from in-state.



 “They have Kansas kids in my class bought in and ready to do the same,” Higgins said. “Staying in-state with them and making the change is really attractive to me.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-on3-analysis-on-why-hunter-higgins-is-a-big-get-and-where-kansas-goes-next">On3 analysis on why Hunter Higgins is a big get and where Kansas goes next</h2>



Leipold and the Jayhawks staff have been on Higgins since offering during the fall of 2023.



“The coaching staff is very successful and have been a unit moving through the ranks of college football together,” Higgins said. “They have deep chemistry and seem like a family to me.”



The On3 Industry tabs Higgins as the No. 43 defensive lineman in the country and No. 5 overall prospect in Kansas. Other offers Higgins landed include Oklahoma, Ole Miss, USC, Arkansas, Minnesota, Iowa State and Texas Tech.



As a junior, the disruptive Higgins registered 43 tackles including 11 sacks, seven stops for loss and 23 quarterback hurries in eight games. He also forced and recovered a fumble.



The Jayhawks are working to push into the <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/rankings/industry-team/football/2026/">Top 25 of the On3 Industry 2026 Recruiting Rankings</a>. They checked in at No. 29 prior to Higgins commitment.



Moving forward, Kansas is the early On3 RPM favorite for another coveted in-state recruit in On300 offensive tackle <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/jack-fuchs-239767/">Jack Fuchs</a>. Leipold and company will also keep swinging at the top two prospects in the state in tight end <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/ian-premer-241267/">Ian Premer</a> and offensive lineman <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/maxwell-robinson-239088/">Maxwell Robinson</a>.

Hunter Higgins 2026 pic (1)

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Huge in-state recruiting win as Kansas lands commitment from DL Hunter Higgins

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