Kansas Jayhawks quarterback Jalon Daniels: ‘I’m not done yet & I’m not going anywhere’

Kansas Jayhawks quarterback Jalon Daniels, who has missed seven games because of a lingering back injury, won’t be able to play again this season but said Thursday that he isn’t leaving KU anytime soon.

Amid social media rumors and speculation about his potential transfer away from KU football, Daniels released a video Thursday in which he sought to dispel such notions.

“I’m going to be blunt, this season didn’t go as planned but life comes at you fast and sometimes your story is out of your control,” Daniels said in the video. “But I guess that just means I have unfinished business.

“My dreams haven’t changed, my goals are still there and my vision for the future is clear. So you want something to talk about? Talk about this: I’m not done yet and I’m not going anywhere. Rock Chalk.”

The KU football program shared the official statement from Daniels on the social media platform “X,” confirming he’s out for the season but plans to return in 2024.

“Jayhawk Nation, I want to thank you for your support and well wishes as I battle back from my injury,” Daniel said. “Personally, it has been an incredibly difficult time being away from the game that I love and not being able to play with my brothers in front of our incredible fans on Saturdays.

“The adversity that I have faced this season will help me come back even stronger when the time is right. Kansas is very special place to me, and I will be back next season to continue to move the program forward under Coach Leipold. Rock Chalk!”

KU (7-3, 4-3 Big 12) plays host to in-state rival K-State (7-3, 5-2), the No. 23-ranked team in the AP Top 25, on Saturday.

Backup KU quarterback Jason Bean suffered a head injury against Texas Tech last week, and it’s unclear whether he or third-string freshman Cole Ballard will be the Jayhawks’ starting QB against the Wildcats.

“I’m not going to get into the nature of injuries in-depth, but he (Bean) did not practice last night,” Lance Leipold said Monday. ”But my latest (stance) is I’m very optimistic that he’ll be playing on Saturday.”