With QB Caleb Williams all however formally a member of the Chicago Bears, the 2024 NFL draft begins with the Washington Commanders and the second general choose. Washington has turned the web page to a brand new period with a brand new proprietor, entrance workplace and head coach, however the franchise’s future might rely on getting their first-round choose proper.
The Commanders are usually not alone because the New England Patriots, house owners of the third general choice, are additionally setting out on a brand new path going into 2024. Whereas Robert Kraft stays the proprietor, Invoice Belichick the top coach has been changed by Jerod Mayo whereas Invoice Belichick the GM has been changed by Eliot Wolf.
Quarterbacks are anticipated to be chosen with the primary three choices led by Williams in Chicago with Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels and UNC’s Drake Maye anticipated to observe shortly behind.
The son of a faculty cornerback, Daniels wished the ball in his fingers extra usually than his father. He began working with a quarterbacks coach at 10 years outdated and was the beginning quarterback as a freshman at Cajon Excessive Faculty in California.
A four-star recruit out of highschool, Daniels began 12 video games as a freshman at Arizona State College in 2019. Regardless of solely finishing 60.7% of his passes, Daniels threw for just below 3,000 yards with 17 touchdowns and simply two interceptions in his first school season.
The longer term regarded vibrant for the Solar Devils with Daniels on the helm because the dual-threat QB additionally ran for 355 yards and three touchdowns that first 12 months.
The COVID pandemic restricted Arizona State to 4 video games in 2020 and by the summer time of 2021, Solar Devils head coach Herm Edwards and this system had been below investigation for recruiting violations. Daniels had his worst school season that 12 months with simply 2,381 yards passing with 10 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
Regardless of hoping to play three years of school ball earlier than getting into the professionals, Daniels as a substitute determined to switch and located a touchdown spot with the LSU Tigers. Becoming a member of head coach Brian Kelly, who had simply taken over after over a decade with Notre Dame, Daniels was given the keys to an explosive offense.
In 2022 as a real senior, Daniels accomplished 68.6% of his passes with 17 touchdowns and simply three interceptions. Kelly additionally unlocked his quarterback’s dashing potential to the tune of 885 yards and 11 touchdowns that season.
Seen as a Day 2 choose within the 2023 NFL draft, Daniels made the choice to return for one more 12 months with the Tigers. Not solely is that call anticipated to repay within the 2024 NFL draft however Daniels’ Heisman Trophy-winning season was one for the ages.
Daniels had profession highs in completion proportion (72.2%), passing yards (3,812), yards per try (11.7), landing passes (40) and dashing yards (1134). He additionally threw simply 4 interceptions and misplaced only one fumble regardless of having over 450 mix passing and dashing makes an attempt.
The checklist of awards for Daniels in 2023 is prolonged:
- Heisman Trophy
- Walter Camp Award
- AP School Soccer Participant of the 12 months
- Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award
- Davey O’Brien Award
- Manning Award
- Sports activities Information School Soccer Participant of the 12 months
- Consensus All-American
- SEC Offensive Participant of the 12 months
- First crew All-SEC
Early on Day 1 of the 2024 NFL draft, the 6’4 prospect will likely be checked out as the subsequent franchise man by a crew and a fan base begging for one. Based mostly on rumors that began on the NFL Mix and have continued since, the Commanders will choose the reigning Heisman Trophy winner as their first step in transferring on from the Daniel Snyder period.
If Washington passes, the Patriots might set a brand new path with Daniels or reap a haul in a commerce with a crew determined to accumulate the electrical, gifted quarterback.
From beginning as a freshman in highschool after which at Arizona State to dominating the SEC in 2023, Daniels’ resume speaks for itself. Now, the dual-threat star will get an opportunity to shine on the subsequent degree.
His historical past says nobody ought to doubt that he’ll just do that.
