Jalon Daniels ahead of schedule with recovery from knee surgery

LAWRENCE, Kan. — Kansas Coach Lance Leipold didn’t hesitate to elaborate on the status of his top quarterback following Fan Appreciation Day, and is remaining positive about his rehabilitation this spring.

There’s no denying that Jalon Daniels has had an injury-plagued career with the Jayhawks. After all, back tightness kept him sidelined for most of the 2023 season. Not to mention he missed four games games in 2022 with a shoulder injury.

However, Daniels made it through the entire 2024 schedule without missing any significant action. It was bittersweet for the team captain though, because the Jayhawks lost seven games and didn’t participate in the postseason. Although Daniels had minor knee surgery this past February, everything appears to be headed in the right direction in Leipold’s eyes.

“Jalen is coming along well, he’s starting to throw more and do some things moving around,” Leipold said. “I can tell he’s getting anxious, but he’s done a great job of taking the mental reps, staying engaged, being encouraging and being the leader that he is.”

After completing the 12th practice of spring Saturday, Leipold believes the rest of the offense is a work in progress too. The running back room has to replace all-time leading rusher Devin Neal, and currently has four guys out with injuries. The wide receiver room is somewhat green, following the loss of Lawrence Arnold, Quintin Skinner and Luke Grimm. Even the offensive line has to fill the voids of All-Big 12 performers Logan Brown and Michael Ford.

All eyes remain on the quarterback position though. Leipold feels redshirt sophomore Cole Ballard is looking promising in Daniels’ absence, and has some experience under his belt. Ballard completed five of his six passes for 51 yards, and a touchdown in last season’s opening win over Lindenwood. If Daniels isn’t fully healthy by June, Leipold knows the offense will be in good hands with Ballard.

“Jalen really hasn’t done a whole lot this spring, but Cole Ballard has great leadership qualities, and has that charisma that instantly gives guys in the locker room that kind of respect when he speaks,” the 60-year old coach said. “So I think we’re pretty good there.”

Fans will expect major improvement from last season when Daniels returns to the lineup. The 22-year old threw 12 interceptions, and finished 73rd nationally in passing efficiency, and 103rd in completion percentage. Daniels was inconsistent at best, and combined for seven interceptions in losses to Illinois, UNLV and Baylor.

Regardless, the redshirt senior is still one of the Big 12’s most dangerous dual-threat signal-callers. His experience, production and leadership is vital to Leipold’s fifth season in Lawrence.

The Californian was the Big 12’s Preseason Offensive Player of the Year in 2023, so everyone around the league knows he has the potential to make some noise this fall. Right now he’s flying under the radar on a national scale, but Leipold feels it’s just a matter of Daniels returning to form, playing with confidence and limiting turnovers.

“Everything will be on course when we hit summer workouts, that he’ll be 100 percent.”