PFF says Jalon Daniels is best QB in the country on these specific pass plays

Quarterback Jalon Daniels has enjoyed an incredible first six games of his last season with Kansas football. The Jayhawks are 4-2 overall and 2-1 in Big 12 play going into their big matchup against undefeated Texas Tech on Saturday. 

Daniels already has the second-most passing yards (8,248) and passing touchdowns (61) in Kansas history, trailing only Todd Reesing in both categories. While it is doubtful he can catch Reesing in either category, he’s going to put a lot of distance between himself and the field. 

Jalon Daniels has been outstanding in play action for Kansas football

So far in 2025, Daniels has 1,497 passing yards and is only two off his career high with 16 touchdowns. Even more positive is the fact that he’s thrown only two interceptions. 

In specific scenarios, however, Daniels has soared to even higher levels of greatness. He is outstanding when running play-action passing plays. 

According to Pro Football Focus, Daniels is the best in the country on play-action passes. He has always excelled at using his ball-handling skills to deceive defenses, even for a split second, which helps him hold linebackers and allow his receivers to get into their routes. 

KU has been slightly inconsistent with its running game this season. LeShon Williams missed time due to injury early, and now Daniel Hishaw Jr. is hurt and may not return. The Jayhawks were counting on that one-two punch from Williams and Hishaw to run the ball effectively and set up Daniels and the passing game. 

Williams is doing his part, but his backups haven’t been nearly as effective. Still, Daniels makes it work because he is so good at making defenses hesitate momentarily with his play-action fakes. As you can tell from PFF’s numbers, KU does a lot of play-action, and it is undeniable how good Daniels is at it. 

He ranks grades out as the best in the country by PFF with a 95.0. He is also the best with 13 touchdowns and no picks on play-action plays, and he’s first in Passer Rating at 158.3. He’s second in the country in completion percentage (an astounding 80 percent) and passing yards. He’s also second in passing yards, with 929 on these play calls. 

If anyone can lead the Kansas football team to a road upset of the ninth-ranked Red Raiders and their staunch defense, it is Jalon Daniels. The offense will need Williams to be at his best, so Daniels can be at his most effective in the passing game. 

Daniels’ struggles last season made people forget just how good a college quarterback he can be, and now everyone knows he’s best on play-action passes.