Kansas football fans can all agree the 2024 season was a massive disappointment. The program entered the campaign with the highest expectations in over a decade, yet the team took a step back and missed a bowl game for the first time in two seasons. It was unfortunate and certainly halted the Jayhawks' progress.
While KU will lose plenty of talent to the graduation and transfer portal this offseason, Lance Leipold and Co. received some fantastic news on Friday. Quarterback Jalon Daniels will spend his sixth and final year of college eligibility where it all started. The star signal-caller revealed he would be returning to Lawrence on social media:
Love Me Or Hate Me, I’m Finishing Where I Started… pic.twitter.com/dKlDQ69HCi
— 𝕁𝔻𝟞💫 (@JalonDaniels6) December 7, 2024
Jalon Daniels to spend final year of college at Kansas
Much like the previous offseason, many fans expected Daniels to move on from the school he started with five years ago. He undoubtedly heard the noise from critics amid KU's uninspiring turnout. However, "JD6" proved his loyalty to Coach Leipold and the Jayhawk faithful once again.
After missing most of the 2023 season with a lingering back injury, Daniels made his way back on the field this past year. He played all 12 games for the first time in his career, throwing for 2,454 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions with a 57% completion percentage. While it was a rather underwhelming performance from his previous showings, he improved significantly as the year progressed.
Had Daniels not returned, Kansas might have turned to the portal to find a new player under center. The California native is familiar with the offense and has something to prove heading into Year 6. Internal options include Isaiah Marshall, a redshirt freshman who will likely be Daniels' successor.
When Daniels goes into spring practice, he will be working with a completely new roster. Star running back Devin Neal will hear his name called at the NFL Draft in April, all three of KU's top wide receivers ran out of eligibility, and a different offensive coordinator will call plays. Kansas football fans can only hope his final season at the university is the team's best yet.