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The Kansas Jayhawks have just bolstered a huge position of need for them next year, adding four-star offensive lineman Julian "Juju" Marks from Olathe South High School in Olathe, Kan. Marks is the No. 5-ranked player in the state of Kansas and the No. 21-ranked offensive tackle in the country.
He picked the Jayhawks over Alabama, Georgia, Missouri, Kansas State and Notre Dame, who were among the 35 schools that offered the talented two-way player. He took his official visit to the Jayhawks on June 7, committing two days later.
About 'Juju' Marks
Julian, also known as "Juju," is 6-foot-8, 275 pounds going into his senior year of high school. A two-way player for the St. Thomas Aquinas Saints, Marks played both defensive line and offensive line, racking up multiple different honors in the process, including a state championship in 2023, being recognized as an all-state player on both sides of the ball and as one of the best players to come out of the state of Kansas. He transferred to Olathe South in 2024.
Marks has recorded 46 total tackles, 4 pass deflections and 1 sack in his career as a defensive lineman per MaxPreps.com. His best attributes shine on the offensive side of the ball, where he is an excellent pass protector and a massive presence along the line with his size and strength. He has great leverage and strong hands, along with a frame that can cause a lot of trouble for smaller EDGEs and defensive linemen.
Marks's talents do not end on the football field though, as he also plays basketball for his high school and at the AAU level, competing in the Under Armour AAU circuit. His length, size, athleticism and motor are what have impressed scouts in both football and basketball the most to this point and he has dominated Kansas high school sports throughout his career.
Marks's Impact on the Jayhawks
Marks is a huge get for the Jayhawks, being their 12th-highest recruit to commit in the internet rankings recruiting era. Coach Darryl Agpalsa has spared no expense trying to get this young man to stay home in Kansas, as he knows he must impress in his first year as Kansas offensive line coach and build in-state recruiting that is all-important with the rise of talent seen coming out of Kansas high school football.
With the thin offensive line that Kansas has even as of now, it is imperative that Agpalsa does the work this year and does the work for next year to bolster a line for an up-and-coming program like the Jayhawks. Marks is a huge leap forward in that and with the Jayhawks heavily recruiting Texas A&M transfer interior offensive lineman Bryce Foster, Agpalsa and the rest of the staff certainly aren't done. Kansas will have a very good 2024 class coming in already and Agpalsa has been a strong contributor to that even after only being on campus for roughly six months.
Marks will provide an immediate boost to this group of offensive linemen when he comes to Lawrence next year. With the departure of Bryce Cabeldue, Darrell Simmons Jr., Michael Ford Jr., Shane Bumgardner and potentially others with the transfer portal or NFL Draft, an already fairly thin offensive line will be even thinner and less experienced next year.
While the 2024 class continues to grow and already has transfers and recruits like Carter Lavrusky, David Abajian, Amir Herring, Kene Anene and Harrison Utley, this group will still need at least one to two more solid acquisitions to be ready for 2025 and beyond. Marks will provide a major talent boost on top of a depth boost, as will fellow 2025 offensive lineman Anderson Kopp and the rest of what is setting up to be a very strong 2025 class for the Jayhawks.
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