2024 UFL Top Pick Jason Bean: A Tale of Turmoil and Triumph

The Kansas Jayhawks now have their first-ever No. 1 overall pick in professional football.

The Memphis Showboats selected former Kansas quarterback Jason Bean in the 2024 United Football League Draft.

The Mansfield, Texas native spent 2021 through 2023 with Kansas, beginning his career with the North Texas Mean Green in 2018. What makes this pick so interesting, though, is not just his athletic ability but rather the story of how Bean got here.

The Story of Jason Bean

Bean has one of the most unique college careers out of any quarterback in recent memory. At North Texas, Bean battled for the starting job from the get-go. Bean was featured in 16 total games with the Mean Green, throwing for 1,307 yards, 17 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. His arm was fairly unimpressive, at least at first, but what did impress was his abilities running the football. Bean rushed for 440 yards off 74 total attempts, a 5.94 yard-per-carry average, and scored 5 touchdowns.

Bean was lightning-fast and shifty, which caught the eye of Kansas coaches when he entered the Transfer Portal after the 2020 season. His dual-threat capabilities and potential got him noticed. Bean committed to the Jayhawks for the 2021 season. Kansas recruited him for his veteran leadership on top of his dual-threat capabilities. The Jayhawks had a young quarterback room and wanted a veteran presence. Bean fit the bill as a now third-year player.

At the time, the Jayhawks were a dumpster fire of a program. Coming off a winless season, Kansas was looking for answers. They fired coach Les Miles and welcomed in a new regime of Lance Leipold and Travis Goff, so the expectations were low for Bean. He was named the Game 1 starter for a new-era Jayhawks program and led them to a paltry-yet-promising 2-10 record. Kansas was competitive in every game and Bean showed potential, albeit choking in some crucial points from time to time while also maturing.

Bean came back for his senior year in 2022, a year that proved to be a major turning point for both him and the program. The Jayhawks had their best record since 2008 and went to a bowl game for the first time since then. While quarterback Jalon Daniels was the regular starter, Bean was a mentor for Daniels. He came in when Daniels suffered a major shoulder injury, playing in all 12 games and starting in 6 of them.

Bean Displays Leadership

While he certainly could have had more success, Bean had a notable blunder in a failed two-point conversion that sent Kansas to a Liberty Bowl loss against Arkansas, Bean showed veteran leadership and fight in the face of adversity, which was a key motivator for this Jayhawks team that on the verge of becoming a program to be reckoned with.

In 2023, that program became one worth watching. With Daniels down for most of the year, it was up to the now sixth-year QB to show he could win games. Bean went 6-3 as a starter in 2023, winning some big matchups against the Iowa State Cyclones, UCF Knights and, most notably, a major upset victory against the Oklahoma Sooners. It was the Jayhawks' first win over the Sooners since 1997.

Bean threw for 2,130 yards with 199 completed passes, averaging 10.7 yards per completion. That only put him trailing LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels for the FBS season leader. He also threw for 18 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. Once again, he proved his rushing abilities. Bean rushed for 280 yards off 47 carries (a 6.0 yards-per-carry average) and 3 TDs. He also hit a personal top speed of 22.4 miles per hour on a touchdown run versus the Sooners, showing his incredibly quick feet.

Playing as a Backup/Starter

In total, Bean threw for 5,969 yards, 55 touchdowns and 26 interceptions as a backup/starter hybrid throughout his collegiate career. He also ran for 1,342 yards off 251 attempts (a 5.3 career yards-per-carry average) and 14 TDs, making him a true dual threat even in his limited playing time. In a way, his limited playing time only helped to showcase his abilities as a player. He wore many different hats during his college career and Bean showed major big-play ability.

All his career, Bean had to fight to make himself known and garner respect. He capped off his collegiate days with a bowl victory over the UNLV Rebels. Bean also became one of the all-time leaders in passing for the Jayhawks. That made for a storied, chaotic and noteworthy career full of twists, turns, triumphs and turmoil. Bean goes down as one of the most interesting stories in not only Jayhawks history, but college football history at large.

Bean's play in college ball did not go unnoticed at the pro level, however. Bean got invites to NFL scouting events following the 2023-24 season. While he did not receive an NFL Combine invite, Bean still impressed enough to be considered a late-round experimental option both at quarterback and wide receiver due to his speed and route knowledge.

Nonetheless, Bean went undrafted but got picked up by the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent. Colts general manager Chris Ballard has close ties with the Kansas program. Cole Ballard, Chris' son, is a quarterback there, which likely led to Ballard taking a chance on Bean. Bean was selected by the Showboats in the UFL Draft as well, further opening doors for a potential pro football career.

What's Next for 'The Bean?'

While being selected No. 1 overall by Memphis, this adds more to the wild story of "The Bean," as he is lovingly called by the Jayhawks faithful, Bean is still with the Colts as a rookie and will go through training camp. Should he not make the roster or practice squad, however, the Showboats will bring him on to compete for the starting quarterback role.

Should Bean not make the active roster, he could choose to go to the UFL. As of now, the Colts do hold his contract rights. Should they waive him or if Bean chooses to decline a practice squad/active roster contract should he be offered one, Memphis has left the door open for him. This likely will be a developmental year for Bean as he transitions to pro football. The Colts will also need to decide where his best fit is as a player, given his dual-position status as a quarterback and wide receiver.

For now, though, the "Journey of the Bean" continues to write chapters. Where Bean will end up is up in the air. One thing is for certain. Wherever he goes, Bean will show that fighting spirit, passion for the game and versatile style of play he was known for at Kansas. This No. 1 selection is well-deserved. It went to a young man who had to earn it, and did earn it, by being his best. By being "The Bean."