A dual-threat quarterback who threw for over 9,000 yards across six injury-interrupted seasons at Kansas, Jalon Daniels signed with Tampa Bay as an undrafted free agent to develop behind the Buccaneers' starter.
Jalon Daniels spent six seasons as Kansas's quarterback, flashing first-round talent when healthy but battling shoulder and back injuries that repeatedly cut his seasons short. He went undrafted in 2026 and signed with the Buccaneers, where his athleticism has made him a name to watch in a crowded quarterback room.
Path to the league
Out of Lawndale, California, Daniels was lightly recruited and chose Kansas as one of only two Power Five programs to offer him. He started as a true freshman in 2020, then took over full-time in 2021 after an injury to Jason Bean, leading Kansas to a landmark win over Texas that snapped multiple long losing streaks.
Career highlights
Daniels' best full season came in 2022, when he passed for 2,014 yards and 18 touchdowns in nine games and set a program record with 544 yards in the Liberty Bowl, earning second-team All-Big 12 honors. He was named Big 12 Preseason Player of the Year entering 2023 but appeared in just three games that year because of a back injury, finishing his career with 9,282 passing yards, 67 touchdowns and 1,445 rushing yards over 49 games.
2025 season recap
In his final Kansas season, Daniels stayed healthy for 12 games and set career highs with 2,531 passing yards, 22 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He went undrafted that spring but signed with Tampa Bay as an undrafted free agent on May 8, 2026, entering camp as a developmental option behind the Buccaneers' starting quarterback.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Jalon Daniels
- Buccaneers.com: Rookie QB Jalon Daniels Having a Blast with Bucs
Statistics
2025 season and career▶Passing · career
| Year | Team | GP | CMP | ATT | YDS | TD | INT | RTG | QBR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | buccaneers | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.0 | 28.9 |
▶Rushing · career
| Year | Team | GP | CAR | YDS | AVG | TD | LNG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | buccaneers | 1 | 1 | 9 | 9.0 | 0 | 9 |
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Quarterback
- Group
- offense
- College
- Kansas
- Hometown
- Lawndale, CA, USA
- Age
- 23
- Status
- active
Latest news about Jalon Daniels
All news →Baker Mayfield Out at Least Three Weeks With Dislocated Thumb; Undrafted Rookie Jalon Daniels to Start
An MRI showed no ligament or tendon damage and Mayfield does not need surgery. Daniels, from Kansas, will be the first rookie quarterback to start for Tampa Bay since 2015. Receiver Jalen McMillan is out six to eight weeks.
AI Predicts Every Week 4 Game of the 2026 NFL Season
Week 3 went 10 of 16, but the high-confidence picks split 3-3, so the model is more cautious this week: four High picks instead of six, led by Buffalo over New England, with Chiefs at Raiders the game of the week.
Week 3 Injuries: Justin Jefferson, Baker Mayfield and De'Von Achane Among Players Hurt Sunday
Update: Mayfield is out at least three weeks with a dislocated thumb, Achane tore his ACL and is on injured reserve, Jefferson has an ankle sprain and could play, and the 49ers' three injured starters avoided long-term damage.
Jaguars Rout Buccaneers 19-0 in Preseason Week 3
Jacksonville Jaguars 19, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0 at EverBank Stadium. Carter Bradley went 8 of 15 for 77 yards with 1 touchdown.
Buccaneers Beat Jets 24-16 in Preseason Week 1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24, New York Jets 16 at MetLife Stadium. Jalon Daniels went 10 of 15 for 111 yards.
