Jalon Daniels will be the starting quarterback when No. 22 Kansas begins the season against Lindenwood next week.
Jayhawks coach Lance Leipold confirmed on Tuesday that Daniels, who is known for his exciting play but has struggled with injuries, has stayed healthy through fall camp and will be ready for the game on August 29.
Daniels missed part of the 2022 season due to a shoulder injury and was limited to three games last season because of a back injury.
“He will start the opener,” Leipold said. “I’ve seen a lot of good things from Jalon Daniels in the last 10 days, and he hasn’t missed anything. He’s played well and he’s confident and he’s excited. His enthusiasm is contagious. And we all know that it’s important for him to stay healthy, but it’s good to see.”
Daniels’ health could be crucial for the Jayhawks’ chances in the new Big 12 conference, which no longer includes Texas and Oklahoma, making the path to the championship game more open.
“I mean, it’s definitely exciting. My last game actually being able to play was against BYU,” Daniels said, referring to a win over the Cougars on September 23, 2023. “So I feel like, you know, I’m just going to take advantage of the opportunity that’s given.”
In the past two seasons, Daniels has thrown for 2,729 yards and 23 touchdowns with only five interceptions in 12 games, although he didn’t play the full game in several instances.
In the Jayhawks’ bowl game against Arkansas two years ago, Daniels threw for 555 yards and five touchdowns and ran for another touchdown in a triple-overtime loss.
In the three games he played last season, Daniels completed nearly 75% of his passes for 705 yards with five touchdowns and one interception in wins over Illinois, Nevada, and BYU.
