Jayden Daniels left Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn stunned thanks to his humility and work ethic as the youngster continues to take the NFL by storm in a thrilling rookie campaign.
The 23-year-old was selected as the second pick in the 2024 NFL Draft by the Commanders and has not looked back, taking to professional football like a duck to water as he passes his side to an impressive 3-1 lead.
Heading into a Week 5 match-up with the Cleveland Browns on October 6, Daniels has posted 87 completions from 106 attempts for 897 yards and three touchdowns, whilst also proving himself a dual threat with 218 rushing yards for four touchdowns.
Yet it’s not just his remarkable talent that has impressed Dan Quinn, it’s his personality and willingness for improvement too, which has earned him comparisons to Patrick Mahomes and Tom Brady.
“I don’t think… it’s not any magic that’s going into this,” Quinn told a press conference. “I know that’s hard to say. But he absolutely works his ass off. I would say that, number one.
“[He] really puts in the work. So when the game time comes, there’s a confidence that comes from that.”
Quinn added, “But to think he would start like this, no, I don’t think anybody would’ve said that. But what I would say is, if you’re around him, you feel his work ethic.
“There’s no magic pixie dust that we’re throwing into him. It is absolutely grinding, working, and a lot of confidence comes from that because he can enter the game knowing he put the work in.”
Daniels backs up exceptional college talent
Daniels has continued his fine college form in the NFL and looks as though he was the wiser pick over Caleb Williams at the Chicago Bears, based on the opening four games of their rookie seasons in the sport.
In the NCAA 2023 season for the LSU Tigers, the youngster won the Walter Camp Award, Heisman Trophy and AP College Football Player of the Year before going on to claim the SEC Male Athlete of the Year in 2024.
In five seasons of college football, three with Arizona State Sun Devils and two with the Tigers, he threw for 12749 passing yards and 89 touchdowns as well as rushing for 3307 yards and 34 touchdowns, allowing just 20 interceptions.
He will look to continue his exceptional NFL season against the Browns on Sunday, October 6 at 13:00 ET/10:00 PT.
