How much will KU Jayhawks QB Jalon Daniels play during spring practice? Coach says this
Kansas Jayhawks quarterback Jalon Daniels will be “very limited” during spring football practice, KU coach Lance Leipold said Thursday.
Daniels underwent a successful “minor knee procedure” earlier this month.
“He’s doing fine,” Leipold said. “His procedure was something that had been irritating him for a while, and it was something that he had re-irritated in December when he was working out. The decision was made that it was best to get it taken care of now.
It’s the second straight year that Daniels’ participation in spring practice will be limited. He missed much of last spring’s sessions while recovering from a back injury sustained during the 2023 season.
“We’ll probably find out here in a couple weeks exactly what we can see out of him in the spring,” Leipold said. “It’ll be very limited, but again, he’s progressing well. He takes things in such a good way and finds a positive in it. He’ll be able to lead from the sidelines for now.”
Daniels played in just three games in 2023. He also missed multiple games in the 2022 season because of a shoulder injury. He was able to play all of KU’s games in 2024, but his performance — and that of the team — fell short of expectations.
Thanks to finishing the 2024 season stronger than he started it, Daniels threw for 2,454 yards and 14 touchdowns with 12 interceptions. He also rushed for 447 yards and scored six touchdowns on the ground.
He decided remain at KU for a final season this fall. But the Jayhawks’ cast of pass-catchers will look quite different: Gone are top receivers Luke Grimm, Quentin Skinner and Lawrence Arnold; new, through the transfer portal, are wideouts Cam Pickett, Levi Wentz, Emmanuel Henderson Jr. and Bryson Canty and tight end Keyan Burnett.
Naturally, Daniels’ inability to practice for much of the spring is a bit of a limitation for the Kansas offense.
“Would it be ideal to have him? Yeah,” Leipold said. “But again, I still think (there will be) evaluation of what we’re going to see from the receivers, of their ability to get lined up, the ability to make plays, do the things that are needed. ...
“We feel very confident (about having) a full summer and those guys working together. And (Daniels) has some ideas of getting together with them, and I think he’ll be able to bridge that gap quicker.”
