Jalon Daniels
{{short description|American football player}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox college football player
|name=Jalon Daniels
| image = 2022 Liberty Bowl Jalon Daniels first down (cropped).jpg
| alt =
| caption = Daniels in 2022
| school = Kansas Jayhawks
| currentnumber = 6
| currentposition = Quarterback
| class = File:Redshirt.svg Junior
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|2002|10|29}}
| birth_place = Lawndale, California, U.S.
| heightft = 6
| heightin = 0
| weight_lb = 220
| espn = 4596472
| bowlgames =
| highlights=
- Second-team All-Big 12 (2022)
| highschool = Lawndale (Lawndale)
| pastschools =
- Kansas (2020–present)
}}
Jalon Daniels (born October 29, 2002){{Cite web |title=Jalon Daniels, QB Kansas {{!}} Dynasty Value, Rank & Outlook |url=https://dynastyleaguefootball.com/player/9994248/Jalon_Daniels |access-date=2025-02-23 |website=Dynasty League Football |language=en-US}} is an American college football quarterback for the Kansas Jayhawks.
Early life
Daniels was born in Lawndale, California, later attending Lawndale High School.{{cite web|url=https://www.si.com/nfl/draft/news/jalon-daniels|title=NFL Draft Profile: Jalon Daniels, Quarterback, Kansas Jayhawks|website=si.com|date=April 5, 2023 |access-date=July 21, 2023}} He committed to the University of Kansas to play college football after previously committing to Middle Tennessee State University.{{cite web | last=Calhoun | first=Damian | title=Signing Day notebook: Lawndale quarterback Jalon Daniels makes late switch to Kansas | website=Daily Breeze | date=2019-12-19 | url=https://www.dailybreeze.com/2019/12/18/signing-day-notebook-lawndale-quarterback-jalon-daniels-makes-late-switch-to-kansas/ | access-date=2024-09-03}} Daniels also received offers from Air Force, Army, Louisiana, and Syracuse, among others, with Kansas and Syracuse being the only Power Five conference schools.{{cite web |title=Jalon Daniels recruiting profile |url=https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/2020/jalon-daniels-216463 |website=Rivals.com}}
College career
=2020 season=
Daniels started six games for the Jayhawks his freshman year. Kansas went 0–9 that season. He completed 76 of 152 passes for 718 yards and threw for one touchdown and four interceptions.{{cite web | last=Galloway | first=Matt | title=Kansas Jayhawks football quarterback Jaylon Daniels showing growth | website=The Topeka Capital-Journal | date=2021-04-09 | url=https://www.cjonline.com/story/sports/college/hawk-zone/2021/04/09/kansas-jayhawks-football-quarterback-jaylon-daniels-showing-growth/7144821002/ | access-date=2024-10-14}}
=2021 season=
Daniels lost out to Jason Bean for the starting quarterback position during camp. Following an injury to Bean in a November 6, game against Kansas State, Daniels filled in for Bean. He started for the Jayhawks the remainder of the season defeating Texas for only the second time since 1938, and the first time ever in Austin. The victory over Texas also ended multiple losing streaks: 8 straight overall losses, 18 straight within the Big 12, 20 straight to FBS opponents, and 56 straight in road conference games.{{cite web |title=Kansas scores late to beat S. Dakota 17-14 in Leipold debut |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=401287888 |website=ESPN.com}} The Jayhawks offense improved drastically after he became the starter in 2021, going from averaging 15.1 points per game to averaging 37.7. Despite the 1–2 record in his 3 starts, the Jayhawks were competitive in all three games, losing the two games by a combined score of 9. He finished the season with 860 yards, 7 touchdowns, and three interceptions.{{cite web | last=Guskey | first=Jordan | title=Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels has faith in football team, coach | website=The Topeka Capital-Journal | date=2022-09-02 | url=https://www.cjonline.com/story/sports/college/hawk-zone/2022/09/02/jalon-daniels-set-start-quarterback-kansas-football-season-vs-tennessee-tech-lance-leipold/7956003001/ | access-date=2024-10-14}}{{cite web | url=https://www2.ljworld.com/sports/ku-football/2022/mar/03/kansas-coaches-hope-qb-battle-between-jalon-daniel/ | title=Kansas coaches hope QB battle between Jalon Daniels, Jason Bean motivates teammates }}
=2022 season=
Daniels earned the starting position entering his junior year.{{cite web | last=Bedore | first=Gary | title=Lance Leipold makes Kansas Jayhawks' starting QB official, releases depth chart | website=Kansas City Star | date=2022-08-29 | url=https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/university-of-kansas/article265049444.html | access-date=2024-10-14}} The Jayhawks 3–0 start was their best start since 2009. They also won their Big 12 conference opener for the first time since 2009.{{Cite web |date=September 10, 2022 |title=Jayhawks Win in Overtime at West Virginia, Move to 2-0 |url=https://kuathletics.com/jayhawks-win-in-overtime-at-west-virginia-move-to-2-0/ |access-date=2025-03-29 |website=KUAthletics.com}} Daniels recorded five total touchdowns against Houston and 100 yards rushing. For his performance, he won multiple player of the week awards: Walter Camp Offensive Player of the Week, the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week, and Manning Award Star of the Week.{{cite web | last=Swain | first=Michael | title=Notebook: Jalon Daniels wins multiple weekly awards, kickoff time set for Iowa State game | website=247Sports | date=2022-09-19 | url=https://247sports.com/college/kansas/Article/Kansas-football-vs-Iowa-State-kickoff-time-set-Jalon-Daniels-wins-weekly-awards-193754754/ | access-date=2024-10-14}} Kansas also received votes to be ranked for the first time since 2009.{{cite web | last=Swain | first=Michael | title=Kansas football earns votes in AP, Coaches polls | website=247Sports | date=2022-09-18 | url=https://247sports.com/college/kansas/Article/Kansas-football-AP-Poll-Coaches-Top-25-for-first-time-in-a-decade-193670516/ | access-date=2024-10-14}} In the Jayhawks September 23 game against Duke, he threw for a what was at the time a career high in yards and passing touchdowns with 324 yards and 4 touchdowns.{{cite web |title=Daniels leads Kansas over Duke 35-27, goes to 4-0 |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=401404079 |website=ESPN.com}} Following the performance, some sports writers called Daniels a candidate for the Heisman Trophy.{{cite web | last=Rogust | first=Scott | title=Absolutely no one saw this Heisman dark horse coming | website=FanSided | date=2022-09-24 | url=https://fansided.com/2022/09/24/jalon-daniels-kansas-heisman-dark-horse/ | access-date=2024-10-14}}{{cite web | last=Gay | first=Colin | title=CJ Stroud Heisman Trophy rival could be Jalon Daniels of Kansas | website=The Columbus Dispatch | date=2022-09-24 | url=https://www.dispatch.com/story/sports/college/football/2022/09/24/cj-stroud-heisman-trophy-rival-jalon-daniels-of-kansas/69516515007/ | access-date=2024-10-14}}{{cite web | last=Rosen | first=Jeff | title=Is unbeaten KU Jayhawks' Jalon Daniels a candidate for Heisman? His numbers are worthy | website=Kansas City Star | date=2022-09-24 | url=https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/university-of-kansas/article266300936.html | access-date=2024-10-14}}{{cite web | last=Schuster | first=Blake | title=Kansas' Jalon Daniels officially entered the Heisman Trophy race after demolishing Duke | website=For The Win|publisher=USA Today | date=2022-09-24 | url=https://ftw.usatoday.com/2022/09/kansas-jalon-daniels-heisman-trophy-duke | access-date=2024-10-14}}
After leading the Jayhawks to a 5–0 record and their first ranking in the AP Poll since 2009,{{Cite web |date=2022-10-02 |title=🏈 Kansas Ranked #19 in AP Poll After 5-0 Start |url=https://kuathletics.com/kansas-ranked-19-in-ap-poll-after-5-0-start/ |access-date=2022-12-30 |website=KU Athletics |language=en-US}} Daniels suffered a shoulder injury against TCU in the sixth game of the season. The injury was initially reported as season ending, but Daniels denied the report.{{cite web | last=Bromberg | first=Nick | title=Kansas QB Jalon Daniels denies report he's out for season with shoulder injury | website=Yahoo! Sports | date=2022-10-11 | url=https://sports.yahoo.com/report-kansas-qb-jalon-daniels-out-for-season-with-shoulder-injury-212610723.html | access-date=2024-10-14}} He returned for the Jayhawks November 19 game against Texas. Following the conclusion of the regular season, he was named 2nd team All-Big 12, despite missing four games due to his shoulder injury.{{cite web |title=2022 All-Big 12 Football Awards Announced |url=https://big12sports.com/news/2022/11/30/2022-all-big-12-football-awards-announced.aspx |website=Big12Sports.com|date=November 30, 2022 }} In the Jayhawks' 55–53 loss to Arkansas in the 2022 Liberty Bowl, Daniels set a program record for passing yards in a game with 544 yards. His performance was also a Liberty Bowl record.{{cite web | last=Swaffar | first=Nathan | title=Jalon Daniels delivers historic, record-setting performance in Liberty Bowl | website=247Sports | date=2022-12-29 | url=https://247sports.com/college/kansas/Article/Jalon-Daniels-Kansas-quarterback-historic-Liberty-Bowl-per-201548306/ | access-date=2024-10-14}}
=2023 season=
Daniels was selected as the 2023 Big 12 Preseason Player of the Year, the first Kansas player to receive the award. He was also selected as a preseason First Team All-Big 12 quarterback.{{cite web |title=Jalon Daniels Named Big 12 Preseason Offensive Player of the Year |url=https://kuathletics.com/jalon-daniels-named-big-12-preseason-offensive-player-of-the-year/ |website=KUAthletics.com|date=July 5, 2023 }} Daniels was named to the watch lists for the Davey O'Brien Award,{{cite web |title=Jalon Daniels Selected to Davey O'Brien Award Watch List |url=https://kuathletics.com/jalon-daniels-selected-to-davey-obrien-award-watch-list/ |website=KUAthletics.com}} the Walter Camp Award,{{cite web |title=Jalon Daniels on Walter Camp Player of the Year Watch List |url=https://kuathletics.com/jalon-daniels-on-walter-camp-player-of-the-year-watch-list/ |website=KUAthletics.com}} and the Manning Award before the season.{{cite web |title=Kansas' Jalon Daniels Named to Manning Award Watch List |url=https://kuathletics.com/kansas-jalon-daniels-named-to-manning-award-watch-list/ |website=KUAthletics.com}} He missed the Jayhawks' opening game of the season due to an injury suffered during camp in the summer. He returned for the Jayhawks' second game against Illinois.{{cite web | last=Salerno | first=Cameron | title=Kansas QB Jalon Daniels shines in 2023 season debut as Jayhawks hold off late charge from Illinois | website=CBSSports.com | date=2023-09-09 | url=https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/kansas-qb-jalon-daniels-shines-in-2023-season-debut-as-jayhawks-hold-off-late-charge-from-illinois/ | access-date=2024-10-14}} He re-aggravated the back injury during warmups in the Jayhawks game against Texas causing him to miss the game.{{cite web | last=Wilson | first=Dave | title=Kansas QB Daniels (back) sits out loss to Texas | website=ESPN.com | date=2023-09-30 | url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/38530613/kansas-qb-jalon-daniels-does-not-start-texas | access-date=2024-09-03}} Daniels missed the rest of the season with the injury.{{Cite web |last=Rittenberg |first=Adam |date=2023-11-16 |title=Injured QB Daniels to return to Jayhawks in '24 |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/38915280/kansas-qb-jalon-daniels-back-injury-return-24 |access-date=2024-10-14 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}
=2024 season=
Daniels announced on November 16, 2023, he would return to Kansas for the 2024 season. The Jayhawks beat three ranked teams in a row{{cite web | last=Laddha | first=Shreyas | title=KU football upsets Deion Sanders, Colorado at Arrowhead: Instant reaction & takeaways | website=Kansas City Star | date=2024-11-23 | url=https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/university-of-kansas/article296043849.html | access-date=2025-03-30}} and Devin Neal became the programs all-time leading rusher and set the school record for rushing touchdowns.{{cite web | url=https://kuathletics.com/news/2024/11/10/football-devin-neal-becomes-ku-all-time-leading-rusher-in-45-36-win-over-no-17-iowa-state?path=football | title=Devin Neal Becomes KU's All-Time Leading Rusher in 45-36 Win over No. 17 Iowa State | date=November 9, 2024 }}
=Statistics=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+ College statistics ! rowspan="2"| Season ! colspan="3"| Games ! colspan="8"| Passing ! colspan="5"| Rushing | |||||||||||||||
| GP | GS | Record | Comp | Att | Pct | Yards | Avg | TD | Int | Rate | Att | Yards | Avg | TD | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020
| 7 || 6 || 0−6 || 76 || 152 || 50.0 || 718 || 4.7 || 1 || 4 || 86.6 || 73 || 20 || 0.3 || 3 | |||||||||||||||
| 2021
| 6 || 3 || 1−2 || 81 || 117 || 69.2 || 860 || 7.4 || 7 || 3 || 145.6 || 33 || 83 || 2.5 || 3 | |||||||||||||||
| 2022
| 9 || 9 || 5−4 || 152 || 230 || 66.1 || 2,014 || 8.8 || 18 || 4 || 152.0 || 77 || 425 || 5.5 || 7 | |||||||||||||||
| 2023
| 3 || 3 || 3–0 || 56 || 75 || 74.7 || 705 || 9.4 || 5 || 1 || 173.0 || 27 || 74 || 2.7 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 2024
| 12 || 12 || 5–7 || 171 || 300 || 57.0 || 2,454 || 8.2 || 14 || 12 || 133.1 || 93 || 439 || 4.7 || 6 | |||||||||||||||
| Career{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/jalon-daniels-1.html|title=Jalon Daniels College Stats|website=Sports-Reference.com|access-date=December 1, 2024}} | 37 | 33 | 14−19 | 536 | 874 | 61.3 | 6,751 | 7.7 | 45 | 24 | 137.7 | 303 | 1,041 | 3.4 | 19 |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://kuathletics.com/sports/football/roster/jalon-daniels/1362 Kansas Jayhawks bio]
{{Kansas Jayhawks quarterback navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Daniels, Jalon}}
Category:Players of American football from Los Angeles County, California
Category:American football quarterbacks
Category:Kansas Jayhawks football players