sad news; Jalon Daniels suspended for 18 months after series of injuries……
Jalon Daniels will be under center when No. 22 Kansas opens the season against Lindenwood next week.
Jayhawks coach Lance Leipold confirmed Tuesday the electrifying but injury-prone quarterback had remained healthy through fall camp and would be ready for the game on Aug. 29. Daniels hurt his shoulder and missed half of their breakout 2022 season, then had a back injury that limited him to just three games last season.
“He will start the opener,” Leipold said. “I’ve seen a lot of good things from Jalon Daniels in the last 10 days, and he hasn’t missed anything. He’s played well and he’s confident and he’s excited. His enthusiasm is contagious. And we all know that it’s important for him to stay healthy, but it’s good to see.”
The health of Daniels could be what decides whether the Jayhawks can make a college football playoff run in the new-look Big 12, where Texas and Oklahoma are no longer around and the path toward its championship game is wide open.
“I mean, it’s definitely exciting. My last game actually being able to play was against BYU,” Daniels said, referring to a win over the Cougars on Sept. 23, 2023. “So I feel like, you know, I’m just going to take advantage of the opportunity that’s given.”
