Lance Leipold calls Jalon Daniels a 'special man'

Since getting to Kansas in 2021, head coach Lance Leipold has helped to make the Jayhawks a respectable team in the Big 12. A huge part of that turnaround has come down to talented quarterback Jalon Daniels.

During Big 12 media days, Leipold explained that Kansas needs to keep Daniels healthy and that he’s a special person.

“Again, keeping Jalon where he’s in a position staying healthy,” Leipold said. “He’s making all the throws, everything that we need him to be. I’ve started to say this a little bit more today on the back half of the day. I think the one thing we sometimes forget about Jalon and everything he brings to our program, he’s an Academic All-American.”

In 2022, Jalon Daniels threw for 2,014 yards and 18 touchdowns. He ran for an additional 425 yards and seven touchdowns. He did all of that in nine games, after missing time due to an injury. That injury came during Kansas’ loss to TCU.

“What we put on his plate and what we ask him to do and whether it be just things in our offense, retaining the information, verbalizing it back to others, getting others lined up, I think he does an outstanding job,” Leipold said.

“As we know, everybody has had a chance to see when he’s healthy what he does as a dual-threat quarterback. I think the other thing is his leadership abilities, his charisma. He’s a guy that doesn’t get too high or too low.”

Leipold insisted that Daniels has an incredible skillset but he’s an even better leader and person. That’s why he’s so special to Kansas and in general.

“Again, I’ve said it from the start when he burned his redshirt our first year, he’s a special man and a special individual.”

Jalon Daniels on growing as a leader

Kansas took a huge step forward as a program in 2022. In 2023, the Jayhawks are looking to take a step beyond that and compete for a conference championship. A huge part of that is going to be quarterback Jalon Daniels, who is working to grow as a leader.

“For me, I just want to be able to go out there and be as confident as I can,” Daniels said. “Be as confident in my ability as I can because if I’m able to show confidence in what I’m doing, then that means the team is going to be confident in what they’re doing as well.”