Jalon Daniels is set to shoulder the responsibility of leading this Kansas side to three years of bowl eligibility since 2022.
Daniels performed superbly in his first season starting for the Jayhawks as he marked just over 2,000 yards, 18 touchdowns, and just four interceptions in only nine games played. However, after a 2023 season which saw Daniels temporarily fall out of the spotlight due to an injury just three games into the season.
Last year, despite a strong surge which saw Daniels and Co. notch four wins over their last six games, Kansas narrowly missed out on bowl eligibility after a 45-17 loss to Baylor on the last game of the season.
CBS Sports analyst Brad Crawford previewed and ranked every Big 12 quarterback, and Daniels fell lower than those donning their Kansas colors would have hoped for.
Daniels ranked 8th.
"Healthy for the first time in years, the sixth-year senior passed up a portal entry this offseason to finish what he started with the Jayhawks. Two years ago, Daniels help Kansas reach bowl eligibility and was responsible for 25 total touchdowns. He was a maven on third down as Kansas finished with a conference-best 50.6% conversion. The money-down brilliance from Daniels continued in 2024, but the Jayhawks could not execute in the fourth quarter. They suffered of their seven losses by a single possession."
Ranking just above the Kansas quarterback in 7th place is Texas Tech's Behren Morton, and just below the Lawndale, CA, native is Brendan Sorsby from Cincinnati.
When combing over the rest of the list, Morton was introduced as "Let it be known — Morton is not a mid-tier quarterback in the Big 12 (like he's placed here). He will prove as much as a senior."
Just above Morton is Utah's Devon Dampier was ushered in as "One of, this cycle's hidden gems."
So this list ranking is not a knock on Daniels. If anything, Daniels' 8th place flexes the quality in display in this season's Big 12.
While there are a number of question marks heading into next season about this Kansas squad, regarding the promotion of former assistants Jim Zebrowski to offensive coordinator and defensive coordinator D.K. McDonald, and a roster turnover which has seen 27 incoming players all looking for their place. Daniels, when fit, can marshal this Kansas squad higher than many of the quarterbacks listed above him can.