Buccaneers Sign Jalon Daniels as First UDFA

Buccaneers Sign Jalon Daniels as First UDFA

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers attacked undrafted free agency shortly after the NFL draft ended by signing former Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels as their first undrafted free agent.

Daniels signed a contract including a $247,000 base guarantee and a $25,000 signing bonus, as reported by NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero.

Standing at 6-foot and weighing 220 pounds, the former Jayhawk drew interest from multiple teams throughout the pre-draft process and landed in Tampa Bay after a historic career at Kansas.

After a heartbreaking loss to the Utah Utes to end Kansas' season at 5-7, Daniels finished his career second in passing yards (9,282), passing touchdowns (67), pass attempts (1,194), pass completions (734) and is tied for the most career rushing touchdowns by a quarterback (23).

He became one of two Jayhawks to accumulate 10,000 or more career yards, joining Todd Reesing, who played at Kansas from 2006 to 2009.

Daniels said there was significant growth from his freshman season to his sixth year, and his teammates have uplifted him during tough times.

"Coming in at 17 as a teenager and leaving at 23, you know, there’s a lot of growth in between there," Daniels said on Nov. 28, 2025. "There’s a lot of people in that locker room who have helped me become the person I am today."

After his final season, Daniels received an invitation to the NFL Scouting Combine. The Lawndale, California native had a decent performance, running a 4.65-second 40-yard dash (fifth-best) and a 1.63-second 10-yard split (fifth-best).

He ended the combine with a 78 athleticism score (fifth-best), 66 production score (10th-best) and 68 total score (14th-best). Daniels finished with a 5.66 prospect grade, projecting him as a candidate for the bottom of the roster or practice squad.

Despite his historic career at Kansas, including his career-best sixth year, Daniels was projected as a seventh-round draft pick or undrafted free agent.