KU football captain Cornell Wheeler talks game one, Jalon Daniels on K-Nation

KANSAS CITY, KS. ( KSNT ) – Kansas football is top heavy with senior leadership in 2024, but only four seniors got the honor of being named a team captain.

Redshirt senior linebacker Cornell Wheeler joins quarterback Jalon Daniels, running back Devin Neal and wide receiver Luke Grimm on that list. He joined K-Nation’s Caroline Soro in a one-on-one interview following Thursday night’s 48-3 win over Lindenwood.

The Michigan native recorded five tackles and two pass breakups in KU’s season-opening game at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City.

“It’s good going against somebody new,” Wheeler said. “We’ve been hitting the same people every week, so it’s definitely new going against a different opponent. So we’re just glad we’re out here. We competed, did what we had to do.”

Wheeler not only described his vantage point for teammate Mello Dotson’s third-career pick-6, but he was also excited about what he saw from Daniels in his first game under center since September of 2023.

“It was just a blessing,” Wheeler said of watching Daniels in action. “Me and him are roommates as well, so just seeing him and his mindset and how he wants to change things to get this program where it needs to be is just amazing. So I appreciate him, appreciate him today and we’re just going to keep getting better every week.”

Wheeler and the Jayhawks travel to Illinois for their second game of the season on Sept. 7. The full interview with Wheeler aired in Sunday night’s K-Nation and can be watched above.

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