Redshirt sophomore wide receiver Keaton Kubecka spent last season sidelined the whole year, which is one of the hardest things any collegiate player will have to go through. Yet with the determination Kubecka has, the Austin, Texas, wideout has slowly evolved himself into a target for quarterback Jalon Daniels.
When looking at Kubecka’s stats, they have shown consistent improvement nearly every week. One reception in the 31-7 win over Fresno State for 12 yards and a touchdown turned into two receptions for nine yards against SEC side Missouri in the 42-31 Border Showdown loss to the Tigers.
Against the West Virginia Mountaineers, Kubecka saw just one catch for three yards, but his stats skyrocketed against Cincinnati. Despite a 37-34 loss, Kubecka accumulated three receptions for 53 yards.
“By far Keaton's best game as a Jayhawk,” quoted Kansas head coach Lance Leipold.
“Again, on the flip side, there's a guy that makes a couple catches, made some good catches early, and I think his last one on the boundary on our side was about as confident of a route. I've seen him run. And you can see a guy that has [successfully] gained confidence to play faster, and he did that. And again, seeing him get some catches builds the confidence, builds confidence from Jalen [Daniels] and the other quarterbacks that we can be successful with him on the field.”
Kubecka’s big game last Saturday will only open up the passing game for the Jayhawks. Offensive coordinator Jim Zebrowski and co-offensive coordinator/tight ends coach Matt Lubick have been able to scheme up plays for more established names like Boden Groen and Emmanuel Henderson Jr. As the season goes on, if Kubecka can grow in his confidence on his routes, there will undoubtedly be room for Kubecka in the Jayhawks’ offense.
This is a passing attack that ranks as the 35th in the nation with 267.2 passing yards per game according to the NCAA’s official stat database. Kansas’ 14.68 yards per completion is ranked as the 6th-best in the nation.
Jalon Daniels’ 188.83 passing efficiency is ranked as the nation’s fifth-best. Daniels’ 1,262 yards have been paired with 16 touchdowns and just two interceptions, creating an elite ratio for the redshirt senior.