Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield is sidelined for several weeks due to a dislocated thumb on his throwing hand, paving the way for Jalon Daniels to step into the starting role. This Sunday, Daniels, an undrafted rookie from Kansas, will make history as the first Kansas quarterback to start for the Buccaneers and the first undrafted rookie to do so in the team's history.

With the Buccaneers struggling at 0-3, the pressure mounts on head coach Todd Bowles to find a spark to ignite the offense against the Green Bay Packers. As Daniels prepares for his debut, a closer look at his journey reveals a mix of challenges and triumphs.

• High School and Recruitment: Born in Lawndale, California, Daniels was a three-star recruit, initially committing to Middle Tennessee State before choosing Kansas.

• College Career: He started his collegiate career as a true freshman in 2020, completing 50% of his passes for 718 yards over seven games. After a tough start, he led the Jayhawks to a stunning upset over Texas in 2021.

• Junior Year and Recognition: In 2022, Daniels was named Big 12 Preseason Offensive Player of the Year but faced injury setbacks. Despite this, he returned for his final season, finishing with 2,531 yards and 22 touchdowns.

Despite leaving Kansas with a 19-26 record, Daniels ranks second in the program's history for passing yards and touchdowns. His journey to the NFL was fraught with doubts about his mechanics and decision-making, yet his scrambling ability caught the eye of scouts.

Now, as he prepares for his first NFL start, Daniels emphasizes the importance of leadership and maintaining an even-keeled presence within the team. "You can't be the thermometer; you have to be the thermostat," he stated. With the stakes high, Daniels aims to add another chapter to his remarkable story against the Packers.