The Davey O’Brien award preseason watchlist was announced today, culminating in 36 of what are expected to be the nation's top quarterbacks headed into next season.
Among that list were the usual suspects: Arch Manning from Texas, Cade Klubnik from Clemson, Garrett Nussmeier from LSU, LaNorris Sellers from South Carolina, but no Jalon Daniels.
Daniels was selected to the 2024 watchlist before the Jayhawks fell to a 5-7 record, which saw them miss out on a bowl game on the last day at the hands of a destructive 45-17 loss to the Baylor Bears.
There is no forgetting the past here. Daniels didn't have a great 2024 season. Daniels totaled 2,454 yards and 14 touchdowns to 12 interceptions with a 57% completion rate, along with six touchdowns on the ground. Yet when you apply some context to it and look at the run Kansas made last season, Daniels' season looks a lot better.
When Kansas took down three straight ranked teams in Iowa State, BYU, and Colorado, the Jayhawks quarterback managed each of those games well and ultimately was a key part of why Kansas was able to push close to a bowl game after a start that saw the Jayhawks start 1-5.
Eight quarterbacks from the Big 12 made the list, including Rocco Becht (Iowa State), Devon Dampier (Utah), Josh Hoover (TCU), Avery Johnson (Kansas State), Sam Leavitt (Arizona State), Behren Morton (Texas Tech), Sawyer Robertson (Baylor), and Brendan Sorsby (Cincinnati).
Daniels was recently nominated to the Walter Camp player of the year preseason watch list alongside other Big 12 quarterbacks, Kaidon Salter from Colorado, and Leavitt.
How high can Daniels go?
The last two seasons of Daniels' career haven't gone quite to plan. In the 2023 season, after just a few games, Daniels was ruled out with a season-ending injury, and with last season's statistical falters, it is understandable why he may not be in the "Heisman contender" sector. Yet to say that Daniels is not within the top 36 quarterbacks in the nation feels a little off-putting.
This should put a chip on Daniels' shoulder to go out and perform every week, Kansas fans want to see a Daniels who manages games more then one who tries to put them on his own shoulders every single week. With his former quarterback coach now taking the reigns at offensive coordinator in Jim Zebrowski, along with the re-addition of Jim Lubick as co-offensive coordinator, things are shaping up for a comeback year for Daniels.