Reasons for Optimism in 2023 - 92 Days Until Kansas Football
If you followed our countdown to the season last year, this article may seem very familiar. After all, there were some pretty compelling reasons to be optimistic about the 2022 season. And despite some bumps along the way, the Kansas Jayhawks delivered something that only the most optimistic fans were expecting: a bowl appearance in Year 2 under Lance Leipold.
So with how great last year was, what reasons are there to think that this team will build on the momentum and improve again? We have a few:
QB Play
Jalon Daniels was a breakout candidate going into last season, and he delivered in a big way, leading the Jayhawks to an electric 5-0 start before being injured in the TCU game. And those highlights were fantastic:
And of course, when he returned, he put together a historic performance in the Liberty Bowl. The outing last year was so impressive that he was named the All-Big 12 First team quarterback by Athlon Sports in their 2023 Preseason teams. And he was recognized nationally heading into the season as well.
And as we saw last year, Daniels isn't the only talented quarterback on the Kansas roster. The return of Jason Bean is big not only for his ability to be an above average backup should the Jayhawks see an injury, but the coaching staff has hinted at a willingness to find other ways to get him involved in the offense, which will make Kansas that much harder to stop.
Returning Talent
For the second straight year, Kansas is returning one of the largest percentages of their production from last year. Except this time, they are building on some impressive performances instead of hoping the extra year will lead to some development.
To start, Daniels isn't the only highly-regarded player coming back this season, as starting running back Devin Neal, center Mike Novitsky and cornerback Cobee Bryant. Each of those players had a great year last year and will be key pieces in a successful season.
And even though there are not any big standouts in the receiving position or the tight end room, there are a lot of solid players that will give Daniels and Bean a lot to work with.
Track Record of Development
You can talk all you want about the level of talent on the defense for this team. And you can look at raw stats for the Jayhawks last year on defense and question if Brian Borland is the man for the job. But it is impossible to deny that the team got better as the year went on.
And with big hits in the transfer portal in Lonnie Phelps, Craig Young and others last season, it's easy to imagine that Kansas will get some similar production from at least some of the transfers. With a focus on the defensive side in the transfer portal, Kansas should be able to maintain or improve on the defensive side of the ball this year.
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