After 49 games at the helm at Kansas University, Jalon Daniels’ career is over.
Next season, for the first time since 2020, the Jayhawks will have someone else donning QB1. Daniels’ time will most likely be remembered for some of Kansas’ best moments since the late 2000s. Daniels has seen a program that had been dragged through the mud all through the 2010s into a bowl-earning team, largely off the effort he brought to the program.
“I continue to tell you every week, I'm somebody who doesn't really give. I don't give a damn about my stats personally,” quoted Daniels following Kansas’ 31-21 loss to No. 13 Utah Utes.
“I don't care what they look like as long as the stat that counts as the win. And when my stats are the reason why, I feel as if we're losing, that leaves me heartbroken, especially when that's the game that we need to be able to become more eligible.”
On the day, Daniels did not reach the levels to drag the Jayhawks to what would have been a monumental upset. Daniels finished the game with a 10-27 mark with 187 yards through the air, one touchdown, and three interceptions.
After a 4-2 start to the season, Lance Leipold’s team then won just one of its next six games and saw four double-digit losses.
The turning point of the season possibly came when Kansas saw two games after putting up strong first-half performances fall 42-17. The first against No. 5 Texas Tech, the second against Kansas State.
Since then, the Jayhawks won 38-21 against Oklahoma State before dropping their last three games, including Friday’s desolate loss.
While Daniels may not care what his stats read, they are worth a mention as Daniels has easily certified himself as a lifelong favorite amongst Kansas fans, and as a sign of the turnaround that has taken effect since his arrival.
9.282 career passing yards with 67 passing touchdowns, 1,445 rushing yards, 23 rushing touchdowns, and 31 passing interceptions.
Whoever is next up to take under center will have large shoes to fill for Kansas University.
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