The Kansas Jayhawks are hoping to continue their winning ways after increasing their win total
in each of head coach Lance Leipold’s first three seasons at the helm. With so much talent
returning on both sides of the ball, it is a realistic expectation to see the team get to 10 wins and
a major bowl game. The Jayhawks will need their talented players to continue to step up and
get even better to get to that next level. KU has six players featured in preseason watch lists
and a few of these players are mentioned for multiple awards.
COMEBACK PLAYER OF THE YEAR: JALON DANIELS
The Kansas quarterback is ready for a big comeback. After being preseason Big 12 Offensive
Player of the Year last season, and after early Heisman Trophy hype, Daniels was injured and
held out for the second half of the season. If Daniels returns to form and finishes with a full
season of starts under his belt, he should be at the top of this list at the end of the season.
WALTER CAMP PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD: JALON DANIELS
Much like the Comeback Player of the Year award, if Daniels stays healthy and puts up
numbers many people believe he can, then he will be on this list at the end of the season.
Especially if the team is winning. If he is up for the Walter Camp trophy then he would also likely
be in discussion for the Heisman Trophy as well.
MAXWELL AWARD: JALON DANIELS AND DEVIN NEAL
The Maxwell Award is given to the best college football player as voted on by a panel of
sportscasters, sports writers and head coaches from the NCAA. The Maxwell Award can vary
from the Walter Camp and Heisman Trophy awards or can be the same player depending on how
voters decide to choose year in and year out. Daniels and Neal should lead a high-powered
Jayhawk offense that will likely put a lot of eyes on Kansas football this season.
DOAK WALKER: DEVIN NEAL AND DANIEL HISHAW
The Doak Walker Award goes to the best running back in the nation. Kansas having not one but
two running backs on this list is very impressive. It just goes to show the respect the program
has built in the past couple of years and is a testament to Leipold being able to keep players
around in the transfer portal era.
BILETNIKOFF AWARD: LAWRENCE ARNOLD
This award goes to the most outstanding wide receiver in college football. Arnold is one of three
returning starters to the Jayhawks wide receiver core and has the big play ability to help the
offense continue to rise and become one of the best in the nation. If his quarterback can stay
healthy, he could have one of the best seasons we’ve seen from a wide receiver at KU in a very
long time.
PATRICK MANNELLY AWARD: LUKE HOSFORD
This award goes to the best long snapper, and KU has a sixth-year senior who is ready to be
one of the best in the nation.
ALLSTATE WUERFFEL TROPHY: JARED CASEY
This award goes to the best tight end and, once again, the Jayhawks have a sixth-year senior
who is looking to finish his career at KU on a high note.
BRONKO NAGURSKI AWARD: COBEE BRYANT
This award goes to the best defensive player in college football, and Bryant has become one of
the best cornerbacks in the nation. If he can create some big-time turnovers in big-time
moments, it wouldn’t surprise me to see him as a finalist at the end of the season.
JIM THORPE AWARD: COBEE BRYANT
This award goes to the top defensive back in the nation. There’s no doubt that if Bryant can stay
healthy that he should be a finalist for this award at the end of the season.
America isn’t used to the Kansas Jayhawks being good at football. Seeing a number of Kansas
players on preseason watchlists are exciting for the fanbase but should also put the rest of the
country on notice of what could be a special season on the way for the Jayhawks.
