Lance Leipold looks back on Jason Bean, what he meant to Kansas program

Even as a backup quarterback at Kansas, Jason Bean ended up making several starts for the Jayhawks during his three-year career in Lawrence. That, according to Lance Leipold, was a credit to his preparation and his willingness to stay committed to his role with the program.

Leipold spoke about Bean’s impact during an appearance on ‘Andy Staples On3’ on Tuesday. He said that he has a ton of gratitude for Bean for what he did for them as well as what he proved to the sport by sticking it out.

“Yeah, personally, I’ll always be grateful to Jason Bean in so many ways,” said Leipold. “I think he’s almost, you know, for what he really did, to me, for college football.”

After 2022, Leipold admitted that Bean’s plan was to go pro. However, to prepare him for a possible position change at the next level, they got him to return to Kansas. However, that plan changed due to the injury issues with Jalon Daniels throughout the season. That led to several quality starts for Bean at quarterback during the year.

“He was a backup quarterback and knew he was going to be a backup,” said Leipold. “Actually, his last play of the year before and the triple-overtime game? We kind of called a Philly Special-play or whatever. He ends up – he could’ve maybe tucked it and run it. He throws it, it’s incomplete, we lose the game. Of course, everybody wants to pick that play or whatever.”

“He already told us he was leaving. He told us he was going to try his hand at the NFL. He’s the fastest guy on the team. I go, ‘What’s going to happen when you run your 40?’. Well, they’re going to ask me to play another position. I said, ‘Okay, well then why don’t we work at that other position?'” Leipold said. “He came up with the idea that he was going to probably as much or more receiver than he was going to play quarterback. Then Jalon gets hurt and can’t go. Never once did he ever say, ‘Hey, wait a minute guys. You told me I was going to get all this extra work to help me?’. He really developed himself into a fine quarterback.”

Bean ended up posting 2,410 yards of offense and 21 touchdowns this past year in his sixth collegiate season. He threw for 2,130 yards, 18 touchdowns, and seven interceptions on 62.3% completion while rushing for 280 more with three additional scores. That production in Daniels’ absences was a large part of the Jayhawks going 9-4 in 2023.

Now, with that on his resumé, Leipold thinks Bean is better off in his hopes of making the league. It might not be a major role but it should be enough to get him some chance with a franchise.

“I thought, the last two training camps we had, he was one of our most improved players. To the point where scouts – I sure hope he’s going to get his opportunity to be in a camp,” Leipold said. “Maybe he’ll be a, you know, kind of a dual guy or special thing that he can be on a practice squad or be a backup and do some things.”

With the transfer portal available, Bean could have easily joined the countless other players who looked for opportunities elsewhere. Instead, he stayed at Kansas, earned his success, and, as such, will be remembered fondly in Lawrence for what he accomplished while there.

“What he did for this program by sticking around where everyone else around the country seems to hit the eject button really says a lot,” said Leipold. “He did a lot for Kansas Jayhawk football.”