As spring practices get underway, the quarterback position will be a compelling storyline for this Kansas football team. Several contenders will compete for the starting job come Week 1.
Two candidates return, Miles Kendrick and Jalon Daniels, who rotated the starting job last season. Two early arrivals, Conrad Hawley and Ben Easters, will also have the potential to make impacts.
The acquisition of transfer Jason Bean adds another angle to the battle. Bean brings experience from his time with North Texas, however he won’t join the team until the summer.
READ MORE: UNT transfer Jason Bean shows promise for QB position
Bean threw for 1131 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions with a 54.5% completion rate. This put him 3rd in the Conference USA in touchdowns.
Bean’s rushing ability adds another element to his game. In 2020, he ran for 346 yards and 5 touchdowns, averaging 6.2 yards per carry.
Both Kendrick and Daniels showed flashes of potential, but showed some weaknesses. These limitations were exacerbated behind a struggling offensive line.
Look for Daniels and Kendrick to get healthy and further improve their passing abilities, hopefully behind a bolstered offensive line.
The most recent recruiting class brought in 3-star quarterbacks Conrad Hawley and Ben Easters.
Hawley displays arm strength and accuracy as a passer, with a running ability to complement his case. Hawley won the Simone Award for Outstanding High School Player in the Kansas City area and led Raymore-Peculiar to a Missouri Class 6 State Championship.
Easters, a product of Brownsburg High School in Indiana, shows a strong pocket presence and is a polished, accurate passer.
Ben will add another young option for the starting job. His strong attitudes about the program’s direction could also be a morale booster for this offense.
Look for these quarterbacks to battle for the top seat before Kansas kicks off again in 2021 against South Dakota, as the Jayhawks will be looking for their first win since 2019.