What a difference a year has made for Kansas football — at least in terms of public perception.
The Big 12 Conference announced Wednesday that its 2023 preseason all-conference football team, voted on by media members, includes KU junior quarterback Jalon Daniels as its offensive player of the year. Junior running back Devin Neal, redshirt senior offensive lineman Mike Novitsky and junior cornerback Cobee Bryant were also selected for the team.
The recognition comes after the Jayhawks had a single player — defensive back Kenny Logan Jr., who remains on the roster — included in last year’s preseason team. In the interim, KU took a step forward with a 6-7 season that included its first bowl appearance in 14 years.
Each of the Jayhawks’ selections this year were named All-Big 12 players after the 2022 season. Bryant was a first-teamer, Daniels and Novitsky made the second team and Devin Neal was an honorable mention. That set of honorees also included Mason Fairchild (second team), Logan (honorable mention) and Dominick Puni (honorable mention), who all return for KU this year after standout seasons in 2022 but were not selected by the media for Wednesday’s preseason poll.
Daniels threw for 18 touchdowns with just four interceptions in a breakout 2022 campaign, even after missing four games due to a shoulder injury. He also ran for 482 yards and seven additional touchdowns on the ground, thus combining with thousand-yard rusher Neal (180 carries for 1,124 yards and nine touchdowns) to form a potent tandem. Daniels smashed the Jayhawks’ single-game record for passing yards with 544 in the Liberty Bowl.
Neal, a Lawrence High grad, started the year strong but really kicked into gear in November, when he ran for 224 yards in a win over Oklahoma State and 190 in a loss to Texas Tech in back-to-back weeks.
Novitsky has started 45 games during his collegiate career between stints at Buffalo and Kansas. He will be a sixth-year senior in 2023.
Bryant, the lone defensive selection for KU, totaled 34 tackles, three interceptions, 11 passes defensed and a forced fumble last year.
Texas linebacker Jaylan Ford earned the title of preseason defensive player of the year, while Kansas State running back Treshaun Ward, a Florida State transfer, was named newcomer of the year. Texas wideout Xavier Worthy was the only player unanimously selected for the preseason team.
Kansas running back Devin Neal takes off on a long touchdown run against Tennessee Tech during the third quarter on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022, at Memorial Stadium.
Kansas players including Mike Novitsky (50) celebrate their 57-56 win over Texas in overtime of an NCAA college football game in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Kansas cornerback Jacobee Bryant (2) celebrates after South Dakota place kicker Mason Lorber (31) missed a field goal during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Sept. 3, 2021, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Nick Krug
Nick Krug/Journal-World
