Jalon Daniels addresses rumors of his status in 2023: 'I never had intentions on leaving the program'

Jalon Daniels missed more time in his collegiate career last season due to injury. However, any reasons for it related to anything but his medical history are completely false according to the Kansas quarterback.

Daniels addressed some of the rumors said about his absences last fall while at Big 12 Media Days. He said that he had a lot to clear up because essentially all of what was being said was incorrect.

“Yeah, I mean almost everything to be honest,” Daniels said.

For starters, Daniels made it crystal clear that he had no plans on departing Lawrence. Secondly, him not being present at some of their road games meant nothing other than the fact that he was not able to travel due to the injury he was dealing with.

“I never had intentions on leaving the program,” said Daniels. “Never had any ill will toward any of my teammates. I mean, if I was able to be there for my team, I would have been there.”

“People had questions about me not traveling to certain games. Physically, I couldn’t travel to certain games,” Daniels added.

Daniels decided to returning to Kansas for his junior year in 2023. A back injury, which he had and then later reaggravated, though, caused him to miss all but three games last season for the Jayhawks. That gave the role to Jason Bean for the remaining matchups.

For reference, Daniels has appeared in 25 games over his career at Kansas with many of those being starts. Still, whether due to the rotation with Bean or injuries like his back as well as his shoulder, he has also missed his share of time.

Now, in 2024, Daniels is back again as their quarterback after a redshirt. With him playing for the Jayhawks this year, it’ll give him another the chance to produce for them while also allowing for the opportunity for him to continue to set the record straight.

“Being able to clear stuff like that up? I’ve always wanted to be here for my team,” Daniels said. “Those are my guys and I’ve been grinding with them this whole entire time since we’ve been at Kansas.”

“We haven’t been doing all of this work for me not to play ball. So, I mean, yeah. I’ve always said, like, I didn’t go to college football to not play college football,” stated Daniels. “Nobody goes through all of the offseason workouts, all the offseason meetings and everything that you have to go to to, on Saturday when you’re finally doing everything you did to play, not play the game.”