Kansas football all-time leaders in passing yards
By Joel Wagler
No. 9: Jalon Daniels, 2020-23, 4,297 yards
If Whittemore helped Mangino, Daniels did the same for Leipold. Daniels was already in the program when Leipold arrived, but had a poor freshman campaign with spotty playing time. Daniels played a little as a sophomore, but he led Kansas to an amazing, improbable, overtime road victory at Texas, their first win ever in Austin.
It was only one of two wins for the Jayhawks that year. That win entrenched him as the starting quarterback the rest of the season, and though they didn't win anymore games, KU played much better.
Hopes were high for Kansas and Daniels heading into his junior and senior seasons. KU started out 5-0 in 2022, but an injury derailed Daniels' season and the Jayhawks. That good start allowed them to make the Liberty Bowl, where they lost an exciting game.
Going into 2023, Daniels was named the Preseason Player of the Year for the Big 12, but a back injury limited him to three games, and although Kansas had their best season and first bowl win in 16 years, Daniels watched it from the sidelines.
When he's played, he's been terrific. He just hasn't been in the lineup as much as Kansas needs him to be.
KEY STATS
- Completion Percentage - 63.6%
- Passing Yards - 4,297
- Passing Touchdowns - 31
- Interceptions - 12
- Rushing Yards - 602
- Rushing Touchdowns - 13
The book isn't closed yet on Daniels as he has decided to return for his extra COVID year. Expectations run high for Kansas in 2024, and if things go well, and Daniels can stay healthy, he could move up to as high as second on this list.