Although they amounted to little more than a whisper around Lawrence, there had been questions about the future of Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels.
Would he go pro? Would he enter the transfer portal? Did he want to return to his home state of California to finish his college career?
On Friday, Daniels laid the rumors about to rest with a highly produced social media video announcing his intention to play for the Jayhawks again next season.
At the end of the video that featured highlights from the 2022 season and a narration from Daniels himself, the KU QB who recently completed his third season with the program said simply, “So, stop asking. 2023, it’s up. Rock Chalk Nation, let’s do it.”
The video wrapped with a graphic that included Daniels and the words “Job’s not finished.”
While the 2022 season led to many great things for the Kansas football program, few people benefited from them quite like Daniels.
After a stellar start, he was firmly in the thick of the Heisman Trophy race through five weeks before a shoulder injury cost him several games. He returned for the final couple of games of the season and the Jayhawks’ first bowl appearance since 2008, and he became the unquestioned face of the program and a fan favorite with several name, image and likeness opportunities, with Wendy’s, Adidas and others.
“Ever since I first touched the field at 8 years old, it was always a dream of mine to be able to play college football at the Division I level,” Daniels said in the video. “Under the lights, with my brothers, listening to the roar of the crowd and being able to accomplish what many people thought that I couldn’t.”
That, of course, included KU’s first bowl appearance in 14 years, a 55-53, triple-overtime loss to Arkansas at the Liberty Bowl in Memphis in late December.
Daniels was historically good that day, setting several Liberty Bowl and Kansas records in nearly leading the Jayhawks to an improbable comeback victory over their opponents from the SEC. Included among them was total touchdowns (6), touchdown passes (5), total yards (565), passing yards (544), pass completions (37) and pass attempts (55).
For the season, Daniels threw for 2,014 yards with 18 touchdowns and four interceptions. He added 425 rushing yards and seven TDs on the ground while leading KU to a 6-7 overall record.
“These past three years (at KU), you brought me in as one of your own, helped us pack the Booth, stayed down with us when nobody else believed and have not only helped me grow as an athlete but as a man,” Daniels added in the video. “This season has brought many trials and tribulations, but along with those trials and tribulations were many blessings that not only I was able to achieve as a player but we were able to achieve as a program.”
Now, the Jayhawks move forward with Daniels at the helm and higher expectations — for both the program and the position — than they’ve had in years.
Still I Rise… pic.twitter.com/h9SEJf0hWR
— ???????????????? (@JalonDaniels6) January 13, 2023
