Lance Leipold confirms Damarius McGhee, Tristian Fletcher are no longer with Kansas

Kansas coach Lance Leipold revealed Monday that defensive back Damarius McGhee and linebacker Tristian Fletcher are no longer with the team. The Jayhawks opened spring practice on Sunday and neither player was listed on the roster.

Both players still have a year of eligibility left to use if they choose to do so. However, Leipold said he is unsure of their exact plans other than that both plan to graduate and move on to the next phase of their lives.

“They’re no longer on the roster and they’ll be finishing school,” he said. “I don’t know their plans as far as playing. I think both of them are just gonna graduate and take the next step. But we appreciate those young men. Both had trouble staying healthy. Good young men. Love both of them and love their personalities. Very unselfish. Never a problem with attitude or work ethic.”

McGhee was a transfer from LSU ahead of the 2023 season and would go on to appear in eight total games across the next two years at KU. That included six this past year as he recorded eight tackles.

McGhee played his high school football for Pensacola (FL) Catholic, where he was a four-star recruit in the 2021 cycle. He ranked as the No. 146 overall player and No. 9 cornerback in the class according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Fletcher was also part of the Jayhawks’ 2023 transfer class as he made the move from Tennessee Tech. He appeared in six games this past season but was unfortunately limited due to injury and recorded just five tackles.

Fletcher played high school football at Cy Ridge in Athens, Texas, but was not ranked in the 2022 cycle. He would have two years of eligibility left if he were to use it.

While Damarius McGhee and Tristian Fletcher will no longer be with the Kansas program for the 2025 season, both seem to have bright futures ahead of them whether that be in football or not.

Kansas is coming off of a 5-7 finish in the fourth season under Leipold, who led them to bowl games in the two years prior. With spring practice underway, the Jayhawks will look to get to work in bouncing back from the disappointing record in 2024.