Kansas football: Playing true freshman QB Jalon Daniels not a bad idea

Odds are, Kansas football probably won’t be making a bowl game during the 2020 season, so it may be a good time to get Jalon Daniels some reps at the quarterback position.

ESPN’s FPI predicts Kansas football to finish next season with around three wins, so the Jayhawks probably won’t be making a bowl game in Les Miles’ second season with the team. For that reason, this may be a good time to try and get some of the underclassmen some experience. One true freshman that could really benefit from getting some playing time is quarterback Jalon Daniels.

Daniels is coming to Kansas as a three-star recruit out of Lawndale High School in California. He also held offers from Army, Eastern Washington, Middle Tennessee State, New Mexico State, Louisiana, and others.

While his three-star rating and offer list may not sound very prestigious, Daniels has a really big fan who’s name carries some weight: Brent Dearmon. The Kansas offensive coordinator was all over Daniels before taking over the Jayhawks’ offense. Daniel’s dual-threat nature makes him a great fit for Brent Dearmon’s RPO scheme, so it’s no wonder why he likes him so much.

There are a number of quarterbacks on the Jayhawks’ roster, but the main ones competing for playing time are:

• Miles Kendrick, Junior
• Miles Fallin, Junior
• Thomas MacVittie, Senior

While Daniels could have an outside chance at competing for the starting job, it is hard to see a true freshman quarterback starting for the Jayhawks in the Big 12. That doesn’t mean Daniels can’t get some snaps though in his freshman year.

Obviously, if a game becomes “unwinnable,” that’d be a great time for Daniels to get some time. Also, Dearmon could take advantage of Daniels’ speed in some different scenarios to try and get the young QB some experience playing on Saturdays.

Kansas football has lacked a truly great quarterback for over a decade. Carter Stanley was a step in the right direction last season; however, we only got him for one season. If Daniels can develop quickly, he could possibly be the answer to the Jayhawks’ seemingly never ending QB question.