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Kansas Jayhawks visit 4-star safety Jayden McGregory

hunterby:Hunter Shelton•04/22/25•

HunterShelton_

Jayden McGregory 7 copy 1 copy.jpg
Chad Simmons/On3

Des Moines (Iowa) Valley four-star safety Jayden McGregory is a dynamic two-way star on the football field and he’s got plenty of Power Four programs after his commitment.

As the 6-foot-2 defensive back continues to work through his process, Kansas is making him feel like a priority. On Tuesday, Jayhawks DBs coach Brandon Shelby and defensive coordinator DK McDonald made their way to Iowa to visit McGregory:

At the end of March, On3 Director of Recruiting Chad Simmons caught up with McGregory to get the latest on his recruitment. Thus far, Minnesota (May 30), Missouri (June 6), Kansas (June 13) and Louisville (June 20) are all set to receive official visits, while Georgia is also in the top group.

“It is a super-close race between those five schools,” McGregory said. “There are pros and cons for each. I am looking for development first when I make my decision, then it is about education and the NIL opportunity. There is a lot I will look at when I commit.”

The Jayhawks are looking to keep McGregory in the Midwest and he’s developing solid relationships with head coach Lance Leipold and Co. at KU. The safety is a top name to know in Lawrence.

“It is about the staff at Kansas,” McGregory said. “Everyone on that staff is a good coach, I have talked to almost everyone and they are building a special 2026 recruiting class.”

McGregory is the No. 303 overall prospect and No. 28 safety in the 2026 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 4 player in Iowa.

Kansas has Top-25 recruiting class in 2026 cycle

The Jayhawks have already build a solid base to their 2026 class, owning 15 commitments to date. The class currently ranks No. 25 in the nation, according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings.

Manhattan (Kan.) four-star safety James Dunnigan Jr. is the top-ranked pledge in the fold, checking in as the No. 173 recruit overall. A Kansas State legacy, Dunnigan spurned the hometown school and is set to play for the cross-state rival at the next level.

“It came down to a battle between K-State and KU,” Dunnigan told On3. “K-State is the hometown school and where my father played at it, but KU came in, rolled the red carpet out, showed us their plan and the Jayhawks just nudged K-State with Nebraska a great school being third.”

Salina (Kan.) On300 interior offensive lineman Kaden Snyder, Wichita (Kan.) Maize South three-star EDGE Hunter Higgins and Lawrence (Kan.) three-star linebacker Joshua Galbreath are also in the mix as top-10 in-state recruits.

Other top commits in the class include: Edmond (Okla.) Santa Fe three-star defensive lineman Landen Anderson, Broken Arrow (Okla.) three-star offensive tackle Kaden Moody, Orange City (Iowa) MOC-Floyd Valley three-star EDGE Draeden Punt, Platte City (Mo.) Platte County three-star tight end Jack Utz and Denton (Texas) Guyer three-star wide receiver Corbin Glasco.