The Kansas Jayhawks will see a welcome face return to Lawrence in 2024, and the 2025 NFL Draft will have another sleeper to watch. Jalon Daniels has announced his intent to return to school and stay at Kansas for the 2024 season.
Kansas QB Jalon Daniels Announces Decision To Return to School
Daniels was instrumental in Kansas’ breakout 2022 campaign under head coach Lance Leipold. He completed 66.1% of his passes for 2,014 yards, 18 touchdowns, and four interceptions while running for 425 yards and seven scores, and led his Jayhawks to a bowl game appearance.
Expectations were high for Daniels and the Jayhawks in 2023, but Daniels only played three games. He suffered a back injury in the offseason and missed the first game of the year, then reaggravated that injury ahead of the team’s game against Texas.
Once considered a high-upside sleeper prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft cycle, some speculated that Daniels would transfer within the Power Five ranks in 2024 to get a fresh start. Daniels has now announced that he will be returning in 2024 — but he’s staying right where he is.
On X (Formerly Twitter), Daniels posted a short video declaring his intentions, as well as speaking on the season that was:
“I’ma be blunt. This season didn’t go as planned. But life comes at you fast. And sometimes, your story’s out of your control. But I guess that just means I have unfinished business. My dreams haven’t changed. My goals are still there. And my vision for my future is clear. So you want something to talk about? Talk about this. I’m not done yet, and I’m not going anywhere. Rock Chalk.”
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Daniels also thanked the fans for their support as he battles back from injury via the Kansas Football X (Formerly Twitter) Account and confirmed that he’d be back in 2024 to reprise his role as the team’s starting quarterback.
Daniels’ Return Adds a New Layer to 2025 NFL Draft QB Group
Not only does Daniels’ return provide security for Kansas at the most important position, and not only does it allow Daniels himself to take time to get healthy, but it also grants Daniels new standing in the 2025 NFL Draft QB class.
Heading into 2023, the 6’0″, 220-pound Daniels was an intriguing prospect who had the necessary athleticism, creation capacity, arm elasticity, and flashes of center-field anticipation to separate himself as a legitimate NFL-caliber passer. He also has ample experience with ball handling and option offense.
Unfortunately, injuries prevented Daniels from sustaining any growth across the 2023 stretch. But Daniels’ return will allow him to return to the field fully healthy, and he’ll still be just 21 years old to start the 2024 campaign despite being a fifth-year player.
Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders and Texas’ Quinn Ewers are expected to return to school as well. Should they do so, they’ll be two of the early favorites in the 2025 NFL Draft QB crop. But Daniels will be in the mix from the very start with his experience, and he has the talent to keep rising.
