Kansas head coach Lance Leipold announced Tuesday following practice that Jalon Daniels would be the Week 1 starter at quarterback. Daniels has been injury-prone throughout his career with the Jayhawks. Last season he had a back injury, which limited him to just three games. In 2022, he missed half of the season with a shoulder injury.
Daniels has thrown for 2,729 yards and 23 touchdowns over 12 career games for the Jayhawks. He is excited to get back on the field and lead a talented Jayhawks squad:
I mean, it’s definitely exciting. My last game actually being able to play was against BYU,” Daniels said, referring to a win over the Cougars on Sept. 23, 2023. “So I feel like, you know, I’m just going to take advantage of the opportunity that’s given.
His coach was obviously very excited to be able to place him in the lineup. He will have Lawrence Arnold, Luke Grimm, Quentin Skinner, and Trevor Wilson back as receivers. Devin Neal and Daniel Hishaw also return to the lineup.
Lance Leipold announced Jalon Daniels will be the starting QB after a healthy fall camp.
They are getting close on the OL and he likes the depth on the DL. #kufball @sam_winton2
LINK:https://t.co/5xSmJAmZLI pic.twitter.com/wFGkr8WYnw
— JayhawkSlant (@JayhawkSlant) August 20, 2024
Jason Bean was the starter for much of last season and is now with the Indianapolis Colts. Leipold was asked about Daniels and had this to say:
He will start the opener. I’ve seen a lot of good things from Jalon Daniels in the last 10 days, and he hasn’t missed anything. He’s played well and he’s confident and he’s excited. His enthusiasm is contagious. And we all know that it’s important for him to stay healthy, but it’s good to see.
The Jayhawks start the Big 12 season on September 21st on the road at West Virginia.