‘Expect a lot of fun’: Kansas football QB room continues to grow after breakout 2022
Kansas offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki isn’t afraid to innovate and get a little zany with the offense next season.
How innovative, exactly?
“You know that we are very mobile (at quarterback) and we’ll get crazy and put them all out there at the same time,” Kotelnicki joked, referencing quarterbacks Jalon Daniels, Jason Bean and Ethan Vasko. “Let’s do it. Our system is our players and what they are able to do when we put them out there.”
Though Kansas hasn’t formed the play yet, Kotelnicki joked that all three could play on the season’s first snap.
Not a joke: KU could have the best quarterback room in the Big 12. At the very least, the position is a strength, as Daniels remains the starter, Bean the backup and Vasko the third-string.
“We’re blessed that we’re going into next fall ... (with) two quarterbacks that have started Big 12 football games and won Big 12 football games,” Kotelnicki said. “Having two really good quarterbacks is a really big deal for football nowadays.”
Not to mention, Vasko, who redshirted last season, is getting his first snaps of spring football.
“He’s doing great,” Kotelnicki said. “He’s really happy. … He was able to get into the game last year (KU’s 43-28 loss to Texas Tech) and be in a situation (where) he was the backup quarterback. … His development will be critical for our football program in the future.”
Kotelnicki hopes to see Vasko make better decisions this season. He’s also looking for him to continue to grow in what he called “conceptual understanding.”
Most importantly, Vasko needs more reps so the coaches can see what he is and isn’t capable of on the field.
On the other hand, Daniels, a breakout star and early Heisman candidate last season, continues to practice but isn’t quite going all-in, as he looks to monitor his health after his shoulder injury last season.
“So we have a pitch count and you want to make sure he isn’t getting touched,” Kotelnicki said. “What hits can we avoid maybe when we do run the football? What is the difference between falling forward and maybe tackling yourself as opposed to taking a hit?”
Still, don’t expect Daniels to hold himself back in an actual game.
“He won’t say this, but he will do what’s best for the football team,” Kotelnicki said.
Last season, Daniels threw for 2,014 passing yards with 18 passing touchdowns and four interceptions; he ran for 425 yards and seven more touchdowns over a total of nine games. Daniels made the All-Big 12 second team after his 2022 campaign.
But after Daniels missed four games due to his shoulder injury, Kotelnicki admitted the Jayhawks changed up the play-calling to protect Daniels some.
Kotelnicki believes the load management this spring gives Daniels the opportunity reflect on things the QB does well and needs to improve on.
“We are looking for the same things we look from all our quarterbacks,” Kotelnicki said. “Guys who can extend plays. Guys who are accurate. Guys who are the commanders on the field and can make the players around them better.”
That’s a description that fits backup QB and super-senior Jason Bean, who returns to KU for his sixth and final season of college after throwing for 10 touchdowns to three interceptions last season.
Most recently, Bean’s pass sailed high on a two-point attempt in triple overtime of the Liberty Bowl, ending Kansas’ 2022 season. Arkansas held on to defeat Kansas (6-7, 3-6 Big 12) 55-53 at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.
How much did the last play factor in Bean’s decision to come back?
“None at all,” Bean said. “I think for me, mainly, I just wanted to come back to just be around guys in general. I think that’s one of the more fun things about football. Just being in the locker room every day or doing the workouts with guys that you’re going to work with is pretty fun.”
Bean has a tight bond with Daniels and Vasko and likes what he’s seen from both so far.
“I’ve seen flashes from both,” Bean said. “Jalon is not getting as many reps; I still think the stuff that he is doing, he is doing really well. Even Ethan — he’s going on his second year. He still has a lot of growing to do, but I think his potential is through the roof as long he continues on the path that he’s on.
“I’m very excited about the quarterback room and the strides that we are making.”
Bean tries to mentor both Daniels and Vasko, but he also learns from them as well.
“JD has been helping me and we kind of all help each other,” Bean said. “No matter how old or how long we’ve been playing ball. There’s still stuff you can learn from younger guys.”
Bean believes there’s a different feel around this Kansas team.
“Expect a lot of fun to be had in the fall,” Bean said. “I’m excited about the fall and I think we’re going to have a good time.”
This story was originally published March 2, 2023 at 6:22 PM with the headline "‘Expect a lot of fun’: Kansas football QB room continues to grow after breakout 2022."
