Jalon

Daniels

Daniels (6’1”/219) spent six years in college and started seven games as a true freshman for the Jayhawks in 2020. The dual-threat QB who amassed 1,445 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns at Kansas has an inconsistent production profile, throwing for 20-plus touchdowns just once in his career and completing only 61.5 percent of his passes. Daniels’ ability to escape defenders with his legs doesn’t make up for his inadequacies as a passer, and his accuracy and decision-making are both major question marks at the next level. Daniels benefited from a higher rate of RPO plays (20.3 percent, per TruMedia) in his final season, but he won’t benefit from those easier reads in the pros. His athleticism (4.65 40-yard dash) may warrant a further look in camp, but Daniels faces an uphill battle to make a 53-man roster.

No two-ways about it: Kansas was a different team after Daniels took over as starting quarterback earlier this month. In his first 2021 start, the Jayhawks upset Texas, and they followed that up with a narrow three-point loss to TCU last week before today’s showing. KU HC Lance Leipold left it up to Daniels whether he wanted to keep playing and burn a redshirt or not, and Daniels obviously made the correct decision in hindsight. Because of it, he’ll go into the spring as the heavy front-runner over Jason Bean for the 2022 gig.

Daniels (6'0/203), who wrested control of the starting quarterback job from Jason Bean, was effective again this week completing 73 percent of his passes in addition to rushing six times for 37 yards and a score on the ground. His best pass came on a well placed throw between multiple defenders that allowed Luke Grimm to elevate at least three feet in the air to haul in a 28-yard touchdown. Daniels rallied the Jayhawks back from a 14-point deficit in the third quarter to tie the game, only to have TCU drive down the field and kick a field goal with :06 remaining to give the Horned Frogs the narrow three-point win. Despite the loss, Kansas has found it’s QB of the present and the future in Daniels.

If you’re Jaylon Daniels (6'0/203), the last thing you’re doing is sitting out the rest of the season after you just pulled off perhaps the most unprecedented win of the 2021 college football season. You know the story by now, Daniels led the Jayhawks into Austin, Texas for a matchup with the Longhorns, completed 21-of-30 passes for 202 yards and three touchdowns and upset Texas 57-56 in an overtime win. Kansas head coach Lance Leipold shared in a press conference on Tuesday that the original plan for Daniels was to redshirt him this season, but now he appears to be the starter going forward. Daniels had his chance to shine after Kansas lost starting quarterback Jason Bean to injury in Week 10. Now at 2-8 on the season, the Jayhawks will look to pull off another upset win over TCU on Saturday.

Daniels (6'0/203) got the nod with QBs Jason Bean (head) and Miles Kendrick (leg) suffering injuries last week in the rivalry game with Kansas State. Daniels also rushed 11 times for 45 yards and a score, and his pass on a two-point conversion to freshman FB Jared Casey, who was only in the game due to a late injury to TE Mason Fairchild. It was the first win for Kansas in Austin in program history, and one of the last chances with the Longhorns to depart for the SEC soon. Kansas will try to carry over the momentum to TCU next Saturday.

Daniels (6'0/203) is the healthiest of Kansas’ three quarterbacks, as Jason Bean and Miles Kendrick were both injured during last weekend’s loss to Kansas State. While Kendrick is done for the remainder of the season, Bean is available to contribute Saturday night if his number is called. But it will be Daniels’ show to run in Austin.

Bean (6'3/189) and Miles Kendrick were both banged up during last weekend’s loss to Kansas State, with the latter being lost for the remainder of the season. Bean appears likely to play Saturday night, but we should see some Jalon Daniels as well. How much action Daniels gets will depend upon Bean’s health...and effectiveness.

The Jayhawks got three quarterbacks into last week’s game against Kansas State after Bean (6'3/189) exited with an undisclosed injury, while backup quarterback Miles Kendrick left with a leg injury that led to him being ruled out for the season. It has been a difficult season for Kansas (1-8) who would likely start quarterback Jalon Daniels against Texas if Bean is unable to go this weekend. On the season, Bean has thrown for 1,252 yards, six touchdowns and six interceptions while also rushing for 425 yards and two touchdowns on 60 carries.

Daniels started the game QB3, but was forced onto the field in the first half. Starting QB Jason Bean left with an apparent head injury, and, two plays later, senior QB2 Miles Kendrick was carted off with a leg injury. HC Lance Leipold had no choice but to insert Daniels, whom he has discussed redshirting. This was Daniels’ third appearance of the season. He’s allowed to appear in one more before the redshirt is burned. We’ll update you on Bean and Kendrick’s respective statuses when more is known. After falling to 1-8, the Jayhawks travel to Texas next Saturday.

Bean (6'3/189) is the second quarterback that Kansas has lost due to injury Saturday, with Miles Kendrick being the first. As a result Jalon Daniels has entered the game, but this puts the Jayhawks in an interesting situation. HC Lance Leipold planned to redshirt Daniels this season, and this will be his third appearance. A player can appear in up to four games and still take a redshirt.