The expectations for the 2023 season for Kansas football seem to be rising by the day thanks to the preseason accolades that continue to build for several members on the team.
The newest honor comes in the form of ESPN’s list of top 100 players heading into the 2023 college football season. Three Kansas Jayhawks were included in the list: quarterback Jalon Daniels (No. 44), running back Devin Neal (No. 78), and cornerback Cobee Bryant (No. 98).
It’s no surprise to see these players crack the top 100 after the seasons they had this past year.
This past season, Daniels was named Second Team All-Big 12 after throwing for 2,014 yards and 18 touchdowns. He also rushed for 425 yards and seven touchdowns, despite missing four games due to injury.
Daniels led KU to a surprising 5-0 start and the team’s first bowl game appearance since 2009 where he set a Liberty Bowl record throwing for 544 yards and five touchdowns.
“After being a Heisman candidate the first five weeks of the season, he suffered an injury against TCU that halted those aspirations,” said the ESPN article. “But expect him to be one of the best in the nation again in 2023.”
Devin Neal has a chance to build upon his stellar sophomore season where he rushed for 1,090 yards and nine touchdowns. He also had 183 receiving yards and one touchdown on the year
Neal is the Big 12’s only returning 1,000-yard rusher, and if he can improve his game and stay healthy all season long, he can certainly surpass the No. 78 ranking he’s been given by season’s end.
Cobee Bryant is another player who has a chance to improve upon a successful sophomore season
Bryant was named First Team All-Big 12 by league coaches after the 37 tackles, nine pass break-ups, and three interceptions he had in his 10 starts.
If the KU defense is able to take a much-needed step forward this year, Bryant is going to be a big reason why.
It’s exciting to see so many Kansas football players receiving their deserved recognition, but the preseason hype means little once the season begins.
We’ll see if they and the team can live up to the newfound expectations starting Friday, Sept. 1, when the Jayhawks open the season against Missouri State at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium.