When Fresno State and Kansas kick off the college football season Saturday evening in Lawrence, Kan., a lot of attention will be paid to the starting quarterbacks. And likely their fathers.
E.J. Warner, the son of Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner, is set to start for Fresno State, while Cole Ballard, the son of Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard, is the No. 2 quarterback for the Jayhawks behind sixth-year standout Jalon Daniels.
Warner, a senior transfer from Rice, won a three-way quarterback battle over redshirt sophomores Carson Conklin and Jayden Mandel.
“It was super close, and I told both Jayden and Carson that they have to push him every day,” Fresno State coach Matt Entz said. “I don’t want E.J. to get comfortable. That’s the last thing this program needs right now, is someone at the quarterback position just thinking they’re owed something.”
Warner went 9-22 as the starting quarterback the past three seasons, two at Temple and one at Rice, and threw 58 touchdowns and 37 interceptions, finishing in the top 10 in the nation in interceptions thrown each season.
“We tried to keep all the analytics, all the metrics that were required, but also there’s always some intangibles, too, that go along with it,” Entz said. “E.J. has done a great job with the communication piece, with the leadership piece. Poise, as far as just the experience that he provides to our offense, was critical.”
Kansas coach Lance Leipold said Warner “doesn’t get rattled” and has proven productivity.
“It’s not surprising to us that he won the job,” Leipold said.
If all goes according to plan for the Jayhawks, Ballard’s time will wait one more season.
The Jayhawks went 5-7 last season and didn’t qualify for a bowl game after opening the season ranked 22nd in the AP Top 25 preseason poll.
Daniels threw for 2,454 yards and 14 touchdowns with 12 interceptions in his fifth season with Kansas last season. He had six rushing touchdowns to bring his career total to 64 (19 rushing) since first taking the field as a true freshman in 2020.
But he also has a significant injury history. Daniels played only three games in 2023, and missed four regular-season games in 2022.
There is excitement in Lawrence for the grand reveal of the first stage of renovations made to David Booth Memorial Stadium. The $450 million transformation covers about two-thirds of the stadium with additional upgrades planned. Leipold said the vibe around KU is similar to a homecoming game, but he’s working to keep his team focused on “winning the football game.”
Leipold said Ballard’s family history played a big part in him winning the QB2 job.
“Knowing his father’s makeup and competitive nature, I knew there’d be upside,” Leipold said. “He was a guy who was playing baseball and throwing about 90 (mph), but decided to go a different way. I knew there’d be intangibles from being around the game. Surprise? No. Pleased with where it’s trending? Absolutely.”
Chris Ballard worked in the Chiefs’ scouting department before he was hired as GM of the Colts. Cole Ballard has gone from third-string walk-on to the top backup spot in his third season at Kansas.
Daniels, center Bryce Foster and defensive end Justice Finkley are KU’s three permanent captains.
–Field Level Media
