The Kansas Jayhawks (3-2) (1-1) have been able to compile a dynamic offense this season. There are several archetypes that have allowed this offense, which has posted an average of 267 yards per game, and the nation’s third-best passing touchdowns with 16 this season.
Emmanuel Henderson Jr has flexed his elite speed. Tight ends Deshawn Hanika and Boden Groen’s redzone threat has become a staple. Keaton Kubecka, Bryson Canty, and Cam Pickett have shown elite route-running, which has kept secondaries on their heels.
It helps when you have a quarterback as experienced as Jalon Daniels. As a redshirt senior, Daniels has seen every defense in the book, and by confusing defenses with his eyes, he has been able to open up avenues for his wideouts without anything special from his receiving core.
“I think we felt we had the ability to be explosive,” said head coach Lance Leipold during his obligatory Monday press conference.
“I think some of those big plays, like our first play [against Cincinnati] and, you know, both of Emmanuel's touchdowns and things, have given us that explosiveness that we desire. But as a whole, probably the thing that I'm most pleased with is really the amount of different guys that are contributing in the receiving area for us, that gives us confidence to spread the ball around and do things and not be locked in on one guy.”
According to ESPN, Daniels’ QBR (77.6) places him as the 24th best in the nation, and the fifth-best in the Big 12 behind Brendan Sorsby (Cincinnati), Josh Hoover (TCU), Sawyer Robertson (Bay), and Rocco Becht (ISU)
According to the NCAA stats, Daniels’ passing efficiency grade lands him with the fifth-best number in the nation with 188.83. Daniels falls behind Carlos Del Rio-Wilson (206.47) (Marsh), Fernando Mendoza (197.76) (IND), Jayden Maiava (191.08) (USC), and Julian Sayin (189.81) (OSU).
This is an offensive core that has totaled 21 offensive touchdowns, which is 10th-best in the nation.
The next chance to see this elite offense is this Saturday against UCF at 7:30 PM ET on ESPN2