Jalon Daniels named Kansas’ first-ever Big 12 Preseason Offensive Player of the Year

Kansas football quarterback Jalon Daniels has been selected as Big 12 Preseason Offensive Player of the Year in a vote by media members who cover the conference.

Daniels is the first Kansas player ever to be named preseason offensive player of the year. That even includes legendary KU quarterback Todd Reesing, who led Kansas to an Orange Bowl win in the 2007 season, then posted 3,888 passing yards and 36 total touchdowns in 2008 before returning as a senior in 2009.

The Lawndale, California, native is the second KU player to win a preseason Big 12 award, joining Dorance Armstrong, who was the preseason defensive player of the year in 2016.

Last season, Daniels led KU (6-7, 3-6 Big 12) to its first bowl appearance in 14 years, a 55-53 triple-overtime loss to Arkansas in the Liberty Bowl.

In nine games, Daniels threw for 2,014 passing yards with 18 passing touchdowns and four interceptions while running for 425 yards and seven more touchdowns. Daniels earned All-Big 12 second team honors after the 2022 season.

Kansas had four players selected as preseason all-league honorees: Daniels, running back Devin Neal, offensive lineman Mike Novitsky and cornerback Cobee Bryant.

Last season, Neal, a Lawrence native, totaled 1,090 yards and nine touchdowns on 180 rushing attempts.

In 846 snaps last season, Novitsky allowed zero sacks and two quarterback hits. Novitsky is also no stranger to accolades, as he’s a two-time All-Big 12 selection. He earned second-team honors in 2022 after earning an honorable mention for the 2021 season.

Finally, Bryant finished 2022 with three interceptions, nine pass breakups, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and 38 total tackles. He was the only KU player to be named first team All-Big 12.

KU’s four selections trail only Texas (five) for most preseason All-Big 12 team players.