Jalon Daniels Shows Flashes at Shrine Bowl, But NFL Scouts Still Want Answers
Jalon Daniels got another chance to put his skills on display at the East-West Shrine Bowl in Frisco, Texas-an important spotlight for a quarterback still looking to solidify his NFL Draft stock. The former Kansas Jayhawk and 2026 Pop Warner Award winner turned in a solid showing, giving scouts a taste of the dual-threat talent that made him one of the more intriguing players in college football over the past few years.
Daniels is a classic modern-day “gadget” quarterback-explosive speed (4.58 in the 40-yard dash), a live arm, and the kind of improvisational ability that can make defenses look silly when he’s in rhythm. But questions still linger about his consistency and decision-making, especially when the pocket collapses or the play breaks down. Those issues didn’t magically disappear in Frisco, but Daniels did enough to keep evaluators watching.
He hasn’t publicly worked out for any NFL teams yet, but it’s likely he’ll return to Lawrence for Kansas’ pro day in March-a key opportunity to answer some of the lingering concerns about his game.
Flashing the Arm Talent
During practice leading up to the Shrine Bowl, Daniels made one of the week’s standout throws-a deep strike on the move to USC tight end Lake McRee that turned heads and lit up social media. It was the kind of throw that reminds you why teams are still intrigued. Daniels has always had a knack for throwing on the run, and when he’s in rhythm, the ball jumps out of his hand with pace and touch.
In the game itself, Daniels went 8-for-14 for 52 yards and added a 3-yard touchdown run in the first quarter to get the East team on the board. He split reps with Baylor’s Kyron Drones in what ended up being a 21-17 loss to the West squad at the Dallas Cowboys’ practice facility.
It wasn’t a jaw-dropping performance, but it was steady-and in the context of Daniels’ career, that’s a win. He looked comfortable, confident, and in control. That counts for something, especially for a quarterback whose college career has been anything but smooth sailing.
A Career of Highs, Lows, and Injuries
Daniels’ time at Kansas was defined by flashes of brilliance and long stretches of frustration, largely due to injuries that kept him off the field far too often. Despite three seasons with over 2,000 passing yards, his college resume is filled with starts and stops that make it tough for NFL scouts to get a clean read on his development.
Let’s walk through the timeline:
- 2022: Kansas jumps out to a 5-0 start in Lance Leipold’s second season, with Daniels leading the charge. But a shoulder injury against TCU sidelines him for four games. He returns in time for a wild Liberty Bowl performance against Arkansas, reminding everyone of his upside.
- 2023: The Jayhawks start hot again (4-0), including a statement win over BYU. But Daniels misses the Texas game due to a lingering back issue. Jason Bean steps in and helps Kansas finish 9-4, capped by a Rate Bowl victory over UNLV.
- 2024: Daniels returns as the starter, but Kansas stumbles to a 1-5 start. They rally late, winning four of their final six, and Daniels finishes with 2,452 passing yards, 14 touchdowns, and a career-high 12 interceptions. It’s a mixed bag-some big throws, some questionable decisions.
- 2025: Daniels posts his best statistical season with 2,531 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, and just 7 interceptions. But the team falters again, finishing 5-7 for the second straight year.
A blowout loss to Kansas State and a rough two-game finish (four INTs vs. Iowa State and Utah) cast a shadow over what was otherwise a strong campaign.
The injury history is real, and so are the questions about durability and growth. Daniels played in just 36 college games across six seasons. That’s not a ton of reps for a quarterback trying to prove he can handle the speed and complexity of the NFL.
Draft Outlook: Intriguing, But Uncertain
Daniels’ name is floating around in the later rounds of mock drafts, with some projections placing him in the fifth or sixth round. Both Draft Nation and NFL Draft Buzz highlight his arm strength and athleticism as clear positives, but they also note concerns about his size and ability to stay disciplined in the pocket.
The Philadelphia Eagles have popped up in a couple of projections-Matty Breisch and Charles North both have Daniels landing in Philly, potentially as a developmental backup behind Jalen Hurts. That fit would make sense schematically, but nothing is locked in.
At this point, Daniels is still in the prove-it phase. He’s got the tools, no question. But the NFL is a league that demands consistency, and Daniels’ college career-while exciting-hasn’t always delivered that.
The Shrine Bowl gave him another platform to show what he can do. Now, it’s about stacking those moments, staying healthy, and convincing a front office that his best football is still ahead of him. The clock’s ticking, but Daniels still has a shot to make some noise this spring.