The return of a pair of injured quarterbacks could be what ends up defining the Big 12 Conference in 2024.
Bleacher Report’s David Kenyon singled out the return of Utah quarterback Cam Rising and Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels as the “most impactful” storylines in the Big 12 in 2024 after Rising missed all of 2023 and Daniels missed all but three games in 2023.
Both Utah and Kansas have been projected to land in the preseason Top 25 and are both considered contenders in the Big 12, with Utah playing their first season in the league after coming over from the Pac-12 Conference.
“Kansas enjoyed a nine-win record in 2023, and an impressive detail is that backup quarterback Jason Bean led the Jayhawks for much of the year,” Kenyon wrote. “Jalon Daniels only played in three games.Utah managed an 8-5 finish without Cam Rising, although a rough second half in the Pac-12 left an unsatisfied feeling. Daniels and Rising both should be ready for 2024, though.
Heading into the campaign, KU—which won't technically play at home because its stadium is undergoing construction—and Utah are viewed as high-end contenders in the Big 12. If both stay healthy, the teams may even square off during the conference title game.”
Daniels was an All-Big 12 selection for Kansas in 2022. Rising led the Utes to back-to-back Rose Bowl appearances in 2021 and 2022 and was an All-Pac-12 pick in 2021, as well as being named the Pac-12 Championship Game MVP.
CAM RISING RUNS FOR A 62-YARD TOUCHDOWN ON 4TH DOWN.
— CFB Kings (@CFBKings) January 1, 2022
35-21 Utah#RoseBowl🌹 pic.twitter.com/TcjHaLXUlJ