Talk about a statement game, folks! Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels just pulled off the biggest stunner of the NFL season so far, leading his squad to a 24-16 upset victory over Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys on “Thursday Night Football” in Week 5. This wasn’t just any win, either. The Bucs went into that game as whopping 9.5-point underdogs, and Daniels, making only his second career start, straight-up defied the odds.
From Undrafted to Primetime Phenom
Let’s be real, who saw this coming? Daniels, an undrafted kid out of Kansas, has quickly become one of the most exciting stories in the league. Baker Mayfield got sidelined with a dislocated thumb, and suddenly, the spotlight was on the rookie. His first start came in Week 4 against the Green Bay Packers, and while it was a 17-14 loss, he kept the Bucs in it. But beating the Cowboys on primetime? That’s a whole different level. This kid just became the third undrafted rookie quarterback since 1970 to win a primetime road game. Oh, and he’s also the first undrafted rookie QB to beat the Cowboys since Jake Delhomme did it way back in 1999. You can bet the rest of the league is taking serious notice of this guy.
The Journey Through Kansas: A Star in the Making
This isn’t just a flash in the pan, though. Daniels’ journey has been wild. Born in Lawndale, California, he was a three-star recruit, ranked by 247Sports as the No. 61 dual-threat athlete nationally. He initially committed to Middle Tennessee State, but ended up pledging allegiance to the Jayhawks at Kansas. His true freshman year in 2020 was rough, to say the least. At just 17 years old, he got the start in his second collegiate game, a 47-14 loss to Baylor, where he completed 19 of 33 passes for 159 yards and rushed for 23 more. That season, Kansas finished 0-9, and Daniels completed 50% of his passes for 718 yards, one touchdown, and four interceptions in seven games with six starts.
But then came the magic. In 2021, after Jason Bean took over as starter, an injury forced Daniels back into the lineup. He walked into one of the most improbable upsets ever against the hated Texas Longhorns, who were around 30-point favorites. Daniels didn’t just win, he balled out! He led Kansas to a thrilling 57-56 overtime victory, throwing for 202 yards and three touchdowns, plus rushing for 45 yards and another score. He even pulled off some “magician” stuff on the game-winning two-point conversion. By his junior year in 2022, he was named the starter, and Kansas was off to a hot start. This kid has proven he can handle big moments and deliver unbelievable upsets.
Daniels has already shown he thrives under pressure, taking down a heavyweight opponent when no one gave his team a shot. After pulling off the biggest upset of the season, everyone’s wondering just what else this undrafted rookie can do. Get ready, because it feels like Jalon Daniels is just getting started.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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