For the first time in 15 years, the Kansas Jayhawks will enter the 2024 season ranked in the preseason AP Poll.
That ranking comes with certain expectations, which head coach Lance Leipold mentioned last week when speaking to the media.
As the Leipold and the Jayhawks prepare to meet those expectations, the coach announced Tuesday that Jalon Daniels would be the team’s starting quarterback this season.
“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,” Leipold said via ESPN.
Daniels began his time at Kansas as a true freshman during the 2020 season, starting six games. He spent 2021 as Jason Bean’s backup but an injury to Bean thrust Daniels into the starting role and he led the Jayhawks to a victory over the Texas Longhorns. In 2022, Daniels had a breakout campaign, going 152-for-230 for 2,014 yards and 18 touchdowns, but he missed four games due to a shoulder injury.
Last season was disappointing for the quarterback. He suffered a back injury in training camp and appeared in just three games before aggravating the injury, which ended up costing him the season.
Daniels is excited to return to the field for the first time in 11 months. “I mean, it’s definitely exciting. My last game actually being able to play was against BYU… I’m just going to take advantage of the opportunity that’s given,” he told ESPN.
