LAWRENCE — The availability of Jalon Daniels proved to be a popular topic during Big 12 Conference media days Wednesday in Las Vegas, and for good reason.

Daniels, Kansas football’s redshirt junior quarterback, is one of the best at his position in the conference. He’s leading a Jayhawks team that has the potential to win the Big 12 this season. But he’s also entering the 2024 campaign after not being able to finish the 2023 season due to injury, and dealing with injury in 2022 as well.

Kansas head coach Lance Leipold did what he could to quash any speculation about Daniels’ readiness for the upcoming season. Although, he praised how redshirt freshman quarterback Cole Ballard, and freshman quarterback Isaiah Marshall are progressing, Leipold noted the goal and expectation is Daniels will play meaningful snaps this season. Having more than one quarterback capable of playing is key for any team, but Leipold isn’t in a position where he anticipates having to go that route.

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Here are some more takeaways from what Leipold told reporters at the podium, and what he said while appearing on TV during the event on ESPNU:

Lance Leipold highlights alignment with Travis Goff, Douglas Girod

Leipold has praised the alignment he has with Travis Goff and Douglas Girod before, and did so again. Leipold went as far as to say it’s the best alignment he’s experienced, from the perspective of a football coach to a director of athletics and a chancellor. Goff is Kansas’ director of athletics, while Girod is KU’s chancellor.

One example playing out is the renovation underway with David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, and the larger project ongoing in that area. Leipold said Goff and Girod understand the important of investing in football, given its place in college athletics right now. It helps ensure the university isn’t so dependent on the men’s basketball program.

Excitement remains about playing Big 12 games at Arrowhead Stadium

Leipold acknowledged he feels bad the numerous seniors, who helped build the team to where it is now, won’t be able to play games in Lawrence this year. However, he's excited because Kansas will be playing its Big 12 home games at an NFL stadium — Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. He said the players are excited about that, and that they’ll embrace the opportunity while also not using it as an excuse.

Lance Leipold outlines how he feels about Kansas’ defense

Kansas does have some questions on defense, including when it comes to which player or players it’ll rely upon to provide pressure on the quarterback off the edge. Austin Booker, who left school early to turn pro, is someone they thought would stay another year. But Leipold seemed confident in other areas of the defense. If they can answer the pass rush question, they’ll have a defense that will give them a chance each game.

Leipold considers the cornerback duo the Jayhawks have as the best in the Big 12. He praised redshirt senior Marvin Grant and senior O.J. Burroughs at safety and anticipates multiple players at linebacker rising to the occasion.

Lance Leipold reacts to expectations for this season

Leipold understood, given the veteran nature of his team and the strides its made in recent years, why someone would ask him if it’s a do-or-die year because so many players will be moving on after this season. But Leipold said they aren’t going to approach the year any differently, because he is confident approaching things as they always have will put them in position to continue to enjoy success.

Here’s how Lance Leipold wants to build his roster

Leipold said they have more than 30 seniors, so they will have to look to the transfer portal for help after this season. However, the focus is building through high school recruiting. The transfer portal, in his mind, is there for the team if there’s an unexpected departure they need to address.

Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He is the National Sports Media Association’s sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas for 2022. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas football quarterback Jalon Daniels expected to be ready in 2024