Kansas QB Jalon Daniels Named 2025 Pop Warner College Football Award Winner
By Simon Carroll
Kansas Jayhawks quarterback Jalon Daniels was named the winner of the 16th Annual Pop Warner College Football Award on Friday, recognising his exceptional achievements on and off the field. Awarded to youth athletes who show a commitment to balancing academics and sports, the Pop Warner Award focuses on character, sportsmanship and education, as well as community outreach and athletic excellence.
"I Strive To Be The Best Version Of Myself"
A true leader. Congrats, JD6! š@JalonDaniels6 has been named the winner of the 16th Annual Pop Warner College Football Award, honoring his exceptional achievements on and off the field.
— Kansas Football (@KU_Football) December 12, 2025
šā https://t.co/LeLzd0rx6l pic.twitter.com/bGkUv8Mrao
A four-time Jayhawks team captain and redshirt senior, Daniels is one of the most decorated players in Kansas history. He delivered another standout 2025 season, highlighted by his recognition as a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy and semifinalist for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award, along with placements on the Manning Award Midseason Watch List and multiple national award lists.
Daniels is a previous Big 12 Co-Scholar Athlete of the Year and Academic All-America honoree who continues to excel academically while pursuing his degree in sports management. A dynamic leader on the field, he has helped guide Kansas to one of its most competitive stretches in recent program history. This season, he had 26 touchdowns throwing and rushing for the Jayhawks, and picked up nearly 3,000 all-purpose yards.
āIām truly blessed and honored to receive the Pop Warner College Football Award,ā Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels said. āI want to thank Pop Warner Little Scholars for this tremendous recognition. I strive every day to be the best version of myself and to make a meaningful impact on the communities that shaped me. Growing up in youth football, the lessons and experiences I gained helped grow my love for the game, and I hope to continue positively influencing players for generations to come.ā
Gifted Athlete, Compassionate Leader
Happy Thanksgiving!
— Ira Gorawara (@IraGorawara) November 27, 2025
For a day centered on giving, gratitude and family, @BruceFeldmanCFB and I spoke to Kansas QB Jalon Daniels about how a school interview he gave at 13 led to MOM2JD6, his founation dedicated to empowering single moms and their kids.https://t.co/lM0mqDNmHZ pic.twitter.com/SAnKdgPFv3
Jalon Danielsā commitment to the Lawrence community is as impressive as his commitment to the football program. Daniels serves on Kansasā leadership council, contributed to the programās record 500 community-service hours in 2025, represented the Jayhawks at Big 12 Media Days for the fourth straight year and oversees the āMoms 2 J6 Foundationā, which he started to support single mothers and young athletes. Inspired by the hard work and sacrifice of his own mother, the organization recognises the sacrifices made by single parents, especially in underserved communities, and provides the tools needed for families to thrive.
āJalon represents everything this award stands for,ā said Pop Warner Little Scholars CEO Steve Strawbridge. āHeās a gifted athlete, an accomplished student and a compassionate leader in his community. Young athletes across the country can look to him as an example of how to pursue excellence with character, integrity and commitment. Weāre proud to honor him with this yearās award.ā
Amongst a strong field, Daniels was bestowed the Pop Warner award ahead of Tanner Wall (BYU), Aaron Graves (Iowa) Adam Randall (Clemson) and Josh Kattus (Kentucky). He follows in the footsteps of some high-profile previous recipients of the award, including NFL stars Prince Amukamara (Nebraska), Evan Engram (Ole Miss) and Michael Pittman (USC), and fellow college quarterbacks Ian Book (Notre Dame) and Jalen Milroe (Alabama).
Leading Kansas Into A New Era
A sixth-year senior, Jalon Daniels has represented the Jayhawks with distinction, helping the Kansas football program to new heights. Winless his first season on campus, KU have won 27 games the last five years under head coach Lance Leipold and with Daniels at quarterback, including two bowl game appearances and a national ranking in 2023.
Danielsā commitment to his team and the community which it serves does not diminish his own personal achievements in a Jayhawks uniform, finishing his Kansas career with 9,282 passing yards and 67 touchdowns. Recognised as a dual threat quarterback, he also racked up another 1,445 yards and 23 scores on the ground. His total career yards (10,733) and touchdowns (90) sit him second in school history behind only Todd Reesing, and Daniels also holds the school record for most passing yards in a single game – throwing for 544 yards in the 2022 Liberty Bowl against Arkansas.
Kansas breaks ground in 2026 as the host team for the first ever āUnion Jack Classicā, bringing a Big 12 game to London; the Jayhawks face off against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Wembley Stadium on September 19th. Jalon Daniels will sadly not grace the iconic Wembley turf, likely embarking on an NFL career. But being awarded the Pop Warner College Football Award ensures that his Lawrence legacy will live on.
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SIMON CARROLL
Lead Writer, Head of Content
PREVIOUSLY THE FOUNDER OF NFL DRAFT UK, SIMON HAS BEEN COVERING COLLEGE FOOTBALL AND THE NFL DRAFT SINCE 2009. BASED IN MANCHESTER, SIMON IS ALSO CO-CREATOR & WEEKLY GUEST OF THE COLLAPSING POCKET PODCAST, covers college football for dazn AND THE JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS FOR SB NATION.