Jason Bean is a college football player and the Kansas Jayhawks quarterback. He is a dual-threat quarterback who can run and pass the ball effectively. He is currently a redshirt senior in the final year of his eligibility.
What was Bean’s path before arriving in Kansas, and what’s next for him?
Jason Bean’s High School Career
Jason Bean was born in Mansfield, Texas, on June 9, 1999. He attended Lake Ridge High School, where he starred as a quarterback and a track and field athlete. He led his team to the state semifinals in his junior year, throwing for 2,956 yards and 29 touchdowns, and reached the quarterfinals with 2,376 total yards and 23 touchdowns as a senior.
Bean ran for 947 yards and nine touchdowns throughout his three seasons as a high school starter. He was named the District 10-5A MVP and the Offensive Player of the Year. He also won the state championship in the 4×100 meter and 4×200 meter relay.
Jason Bean’s Path to Kansas
Jason Bean was a three-star recruit and had offers from several schools, such as Baylor, Kansas, and Utah. He initially committed to Kansas but later flipped to North Texas. He redshirted his freshman year and played sparingly in his sophomore year.
Bean competed for the starting job in his junior year but lost to Austin Aune. He still played in nine games and threw for 1,131 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also ran for 346 yards and five touchdowns. He transferred to Kansas after his third season and started nine games in 2021.
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Although Bean was replaced by Jalon Daniels by the end of 2021, he stayed ready for when he was needed. Daniels missed a handful of games in 2022, then suffered a back injury that caused him to miss all but three games in 2023. Bean won the starting job for Kansas in his senior year and has been impressive so far.
He has thrown for 1,418 yards and 10 touchdowns with only four interceptions. He has also rushed for 154 yards and one touchdown. He has led Kansas to a 7-2 record – a massive improvement from the previous season – when the Jayhawks went 6-7.
He helped Kansas notch one of the biggest upsets in college football history when they beat No. 6 Oklahoma 38-35 on October 28, 2023. He threw for 218 yards and ran for 62 yards and a touchdown in that game.
Jason Bean’s Future Prospects
Bean possesses a powerful arm and can deliver precise throws even outside the pocket. He has a quick release and can thread the ball through tight spaces. His agility is impressive, and he can prolong plays with his swift footwork.
His speed for the position is solid, and he can leave defenders behind. Furthermore, he showcases excellent leadership qualities and can bounce back from mistakes.
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Bean also has some areas that he needs to improve on. He sometimes struggles with his decision-making and forces throws into coverage. His accuracy is inconsistent, sometimes missing open receivers and relying too much on his athleticism.
He could fight for an NFL future. He has shown that he can play at a high level and compete with the best teams in the nation. His running ability certainly helps his outlook as a potential difference-making backup, just like he’s been at Kansas.
He can finish his college career on a high note and lead Kansas to a bowl game. His leadership and readiness are clear positives for teams looking to develop a third-stringer. Watching Bean isn’t all that different than former Utah QB and current Baltimore Ravens backup Tyler Huntley.
Bean likely maxes out as a late-round prospect. Being a backup in college means a lack of experience will hurt his outlook. He’s not the most accurate passer, and his thin frame is concerning. But Bean has the physical traits to earn a camp invite.