The quarterback is often the face of a football franchise, a truth that holds at both the collegiate and professional levels. Many of the greatest dynasties have been shaped by the play of the man under center.
For the Kansas Jayhawks, one of their most successful seasons since 2007 was fueled by quarterback Jalon Daniels. Daniels made waves across the college football landscape, throwing for just over 2,000 yards and 18 touchdowns with only four interceptions. He also added seven rushing touchdowns in just nine games. Under head coach Lance Leipold, Daniels helped guide the Jayhawks to a 9-4 record and a spot in the AP Poll — their first appearance since 2009.
Daniels looked poised to dominate again heading into the 2023–24 season. In his first three games, he tallied over 700 passing yards, five touchdowns, and just one interception before an injury sidelined him for most of the year.
The 2024–25 season was a rollercoaster for both Daniels and the Jayhawks. Kansas started 1-5 but rebounded to win four of its next six games. However, a lopsided 45-17 loss to Baylor ended their bowl hopes and Leipold’s bid for a third straight postseason appearance. Daniels ended the season with 24 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and a 57% completion rate — a mixed performance that showed both his potential and his inconsistency.
As Big 12 Media Days approach, CBS Sports’ Shehan Jeyarajah highlighted the uncertainty surrounding the star quarterback, posing the question: “How is Jalon Daniels’ headspace?”
“Two years ago, Daniels was the Big 12 Preseason Player of the Year and showed up wearing a highlight-playing chain. Last year, he was a reclamation story just hoping to get back on the field. Now, he’s once again a major storyline — a quarterback who flashed both game-breaking talent and head-scratching struggles. Big-name programs pursued him this offseason, but Daniels has repeatedly emphasized his desire to become a KU legend. This could be the year he does it.”
Daniels offered a glimpse of that legendary potential during the closing stretch of last season. Kansas rattled off three consecutive wins over ranked opponents — No. 17 Iowa State, No. 7 BYU, and No. 16 Colorado — with Daniels throwing for 653 yards, three touchdowns, and just one interception. While those aren’t Heisman-worthy numbers, they were steady, poised performances that helped lay a winning foundation for the program.
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