Quarterback Jalon Daniels taking Kansas football to new heights

If you are a quarterback at Kansas and your name is being mentioned in the same conversation as Todd Reesing, that is a rare and special compliment.

But that is exactly what is happening to current Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels who is having a spectacular season and who many are now calling the best quarterback at Kansas since “The Gunslinger” himself.

Daniels is coming off arguably his best performance ever in a Kansas uniform as he led the Jayhawks to a 48-30 road upset over the Houston Cougars.

He scored an incredible five touchdowns – three through the air on 14-of-23 passing for 158 yards, and two on the ground as he rushed 12 times for 123 yards. His 123 yards rushing were easily the highest of anyone on either team.

Against West Virginia the previous week, Daniels threw for 219 yards and 3 touchdowns and rushed 12 times for 85 yards.

His performance against Houston earned him Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week honors – the third week in a row that a Kansas player has taken home a Player of the Week award.

Lonnie Phelps Jr. and Cobee Bryant were each named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week in weeks one and two respectively.

The honors didn’t stop there as Daniels was also named Walter Camp National Offensive Player of the Week and the Manning Award Star of the Week in back-to-back weeks.

He’s the first Jayhawk in school history to win the Walter Camp award, and he is the first quarterback this year to throw for at least three touchdowns, rush for two touchdowns, and run for 100 yards or more in a game.

Believe

The quarterback is the most important position in football, and for arguably the first time in a decade, it feels as though that position is secure and in good hands with Daniels at the helm.

He’s led this program to its first-ever wins in Austin and Morgantown. He helped end a 13-year conference road losing streak. He helped give this team its first 3-0 start since 2009 and so much more.

Not only is he a tremendous football player on the field, but he looks the part of the leader this young team needs. You can feel the passion and energy he has after every big play and after every postgame interview.

He believes in his teammates, he believes in his coaches, and he believes this team can do big things.

Now, Daniels is starting to make a believer out of everyone who watches him.