Kansas...

Daniels is entering his senior season and is even on some Heisman watchlists, albeit not next to Caleb Williams or Drake Maye. He only played in nine games last year with a right shoulder injury but completed 66% of his passes while gaining 2,439 yards and scoring 25 touchdowns.

Him, with running back Devin Neal, combined to form an explosive backfield that got Kansas ranked before injuries and the rest of the conference caught up to them. Neal averaged 6.1 yards per carry on more than 1,000 yards rushing, and 10 total touchdowns.

“His dedication and understanding holistically some things offensively, he’s continued to work as a receiver, blitz pickup, all those things you need as a complete back,” Leipold said. “I think as we continue to evolve what we do offensively, he continues to work on and will do that.”

While Kansas was the 21st best offense in the country last season, its defense was 127 of 131 teams. It allowed almost 36 points and 470 yards per game. Most of its producers also graduated, such as Lonnie Phelps who accumulated seven sacks and 11 ½ tackles for loss in 2022.

There is still an abundance of experience across the defense, such as defensive backs Kenny Logan Jr. and Cobee Bryant, but the seniors need to play like upperclassmen if Kansas wants to remain competitive across from its offense.

A losing season for most programs means something went horribly wrong. But Kansas’ six wins were more than it had in the three previous seasons combined. Kansas has long been a basketball school, and it will stay that way forever, but Leipold is forming a team that’s worth watching until December.

“You want expectations, this program hasn’t had any expectations as of late,” Leipold said. “So embracing those but keeping them in balance. But I think any program at any state, you have to focus on who you are in the moment... I think this group gets it, but at the same time, for a program like Kansas, we need to embrace some of those things like expectations and the positivity surrounding our program.

Continued from 1 sports.ed@ocolly.com