Kansas Offensive Players to Watch vs. Baylor in Week 8
The Kansas Jayhawks football team aims to improve upon it's two-win campaign in 2021 as the upcoming season will welcome a combination of returning starters, incoming freshman and a handful of transfer student-athletes.
With that in mind, let's take a quick look at some of the key offensive players to keep an eye on against Baylor coach Dave Aranda and the Bears in week seven of the season.
QB Jalon Daniels
Quarterback Jalon Daniels was inserted as the team's main play-caller towards the end of last season and started the final three games of the 2021 campaign, throwing for seven touchdowns with three interceptions; he also garnered three rushing touchdowns.
Through six games played in 2021 (three starts), Daniels completed 81-of-177 passes for 860 yards and 33 rush attempts for 83 yards.
RB Devin Neal
Running back Devin Neal had a solid season as a true freshman in 2021 and will be a newfound leader of a deep group of backs for Kansas in 2022.
Last year, Neal appeared in 11 games (starting eight) and garnered 707 rushing yards on 158 attempts for eight touchdowns; he also racked up 57 receiving yards on seven catches with one touchdown.
RB Ky Thomas
A redshirt sophomore transfer student-athlete who was Minnesota’s offensive MVP in the 2021 Guaranteed Rate Bowl, running back Ky Thomas adds depth to the Jayhawks' running game in 2022.
Thomas appeared in nine games for the Gophers last year (starting four) and led the team in rushing attempts (166) and rushing yards (826); he was also tied for the team lead in rushing touchdowns with six scores.
TE Mason Fairchild
Senior Mason Fairchild was the key target for tight ends in 2021 as the team's fourth-year player aims to improve again in 2022.
The 6-5, 261-pound Fairchild has appeared in 32 games in his first three years at Kansas (starting 17). Last season for the Jayhawks, he racked up 128 receiving yards on 13 catches with one touchdown.
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Denton Ramsey has been a journalist for over 20 years with a decade of experience as a sports writer and editor for a plethora of newspapers throughout Texas and Alabama. Growing up in Houston and attending Baylor University, Ramsey is a die-hard sports fan with a true passion for writing. He may be reached via email at denton.itb@gmail.com