Why three coaches from Kansas QB Jalon Daniels’ past believe he will return to form
At his absolute peak, Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels has a way of making football look effortless.
Perhaps that’s why his turbulent start to the season has been so surprising. So far, he’s thrown for 498 yards with three touchdowns and six interceptions. He also has two rushing scores and a lost fumble.
After entering the season with sky-high expectations, the Jayhawks (1-2) have lost two straight games against opponents they were favored over. The latest defeat was a 23-20 loss to UNLV on Friday at Children’s Mercy Park, a game in which Daniels threw two picks.
For anyone who’s watched Daniels play before, he hasn’t looked like his usual self. He only played in three games last season due to a back injury and missed time the year before. Naturally, there appears to be a little rust.
“It’s become a fragile situation at the moment that his confidence is in,” Kansas coach Lance Leipold said. “I think we became a little predictable, especially in those backed-up situations.”
The fan base, which rained down boos at points during Friday’s game, is understandably frustrated. And if you look at social media, it’s not hard to find a decent percentage of KU fans calling for backup quarterback Cole Ballard, as did the KU radio broadcast at one point during the loss to UNLV.
Leipold, for what it’s worth, does not appear to be at that point. But the question remains: What exactly is wrong with Jalon Daniels?
The Star asked three coaches from his past that very question.
The consensus from all three, reached via phone call on Saturday, was clear: They believe there is nothing wrong or different mechanics-wise with KU’s star QB. And each coach maintained it’s a matter of when, not if, Daniels will return to form.
Former Kansas offensive coordinator Brent Dearmon is among that group. After all, Dearmon saw something in Daniels before the rest of the world and recruited him to Kansas, his only Power Five offer.
“His arm whip, how fast his arm can come to the (throwing) zone, it’s almost like a baseball pitcher,” Dearmon told The Star of evaluating Daniels. “He’s athletic. … Jalon’s ability to create and make off-platform throws or move the pocket to make the throws was elite.”
Daniels has showcased those qualities in flashes this season but has yet to put it all together. Still, Dearmon isn’t worried.
“Me knowing that kid, he may have started slow, but I know he’s going to pick it back up,” Dearmon said.”I didn’ t see anything that’s changed mechanics-wise. I think as the year goes on, the timing, the sync with the offense, I think all that’s gonna work itself out.”
That point on mechanics was echoed by other voices around Daniels, such as former Lawndale high school football coach Travis Clark, who previously coached the Kansas QB.
“I didn’t see anything hindering him physically when I saw him play,” said Clark. “I didn’t see a different Jay. He looked the same to me, still explosive and still has the arm strength.”
But the rust? That’s another story. Dearmon pointed out that Daniels had almost one year (341 days, to be exact) between his last game in 2023 and KU’s 2024 opener vs. Lindenwood.
Daniels threw for 705 yards with five touchdowns to one interception in three starts in 2023. In his breakout 2022 season, he totaled 25 touchdowns (seven were rushing) to four interceptions while throwing for more than 2,000 yards in eight-and-a-half games.
He was also named Preseason Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year before the 2023 season.
Sam Fisher, Daniels’ personal QB coach, agrees that it’s all about Daniels finding his rhythm. He also spoke about the switch at offensive coordinator for the Jayhawks.
After Andy Kotelnicki left for the Penn State OC job, Leipold hired former Baylor offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes in December.
Fisher believes there’s an adjustment period for both sides.
“The only difference I think is that he’s been with an OC for the last 2-3 years and (now) there’s a new guy,” Fisher said. “I think they are going to start cooking here pretty soon, I really do. I think it’s a familiarity, that’s all. It’s relational — they were really in sync. When you get a new coordinator, it takes a minute, and I think they are close. … The last few games were very winnable games, barring a mishap here or there.”
Fisher pointed out that the first half against UNLV — until a late interception — was what the Daniels of the old looked like, a mixture of using his legs for two touchdowns and making and extending plays.
“They are right there,” Fisher said. “I think they’re going to start clicking here. I think next week will be (their) best game, to be honest.”
As for the idea that Daniels is pressing? Fisher disagreed. He pointed out that Daniels has played enough to know better, and highlighted all the adversity he overcame in his first four years at Kansas.
And just like Leipold, Fisher pointed out there is a lot of football left for the Jayhawks.
“They are showing too many good things,” Fisher said. ”It’s just consistency. … I feel like they are right there. … His arm is just as alive as it’s ever been.”
Fisher told The Star that he had talked to Daniels on Saturday. One of his takeaways: KU’s QB still has plenty of self-confidence.
“I just told him that I love him and that ‘You are built for this,’” Fisher said. “’You know where you are and what you are about.’ I just wanted to encourage him, and he knows. … I know that he’s very, very mentally ready and he’s not second-guessing himself. He knows exactly what he’s capable of. And so do I. That’s why I’m not worried about him at all.”
Clark shared a similar sentiment.
“I would say to Jalon just to continue to believe in himself,” Clark said. “Jalon’s a strong-minded individual, and I think Jalon is going to figure it out. If anybody can figure it out, it’s Jalon.
“He’s probably his own toughest critic at the moment.”
