The college football National Championship game is set to take place on Monday Night, with the Indiana Hoosiers facing the Miami Hurricanes. It is a highly anticipated game featuring many players who will play on Sundays. One player who stands out in Miami is wide receiver CJ Daniels. He is expected to play a significant role for the Hurricanes on Monday Night, and is someone to keep an eye on in the red zone.
Daniels has not been overly productive this season, catching only 46 passes for 495 yards, yet he has seven touchdowns. Many people wonder whether CJ Daniels is related to Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels.
CJ Daniels Has No Relation to the Commanders’ Quarterback
Despite having the same last name, CJ Daniels and Jayden are not related. But, interestingly, they both spent time at LSU. Jayden won the Heisman Trophy with the Tigers back in 2023. He was then selected second overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.
As for CJ, he spent the first four years of his college career at Liberty University, then transferred to LSU in 2024 and then to Miami in 2025. Since he was in college for the COVID season, he has been granted extra eligibility.
CJ was born in Georgia, while Jayden was born in California. The only connection these players have to each other is that they both are LSU Tigers.
Another interesting fact about CJ is that he was a three-star recruit out of Parkview High School in Georgia. He committed to Liberty, where he played 42 games in four seasons, catching 106 passes for 1,959 yards and 21 touchdowns. His production clearly caught LSU’s eye, allowing him to go from a Conference USA team to the SEC.
Even though CJ is not related to Jayden Daniels, he will have the chance to join him in the NFL as he will be a part of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Daniels’ Draft Prospect
Every college football player wants the opportunity to play in the NFL. It appears Daniels will have his chance in 2026. According to PFF, Daniels is the 73rd-ranked player on their big board and a potential day-two selection.
Every team is looking for explosive playmakers on the outside, and Daniels fits the bill. He averaged 19.4 yards per catch in 2023 at Liberty, and he has the versatility to line up at any spot on the offense. While he may not be the fastest WR in the draft, many believe he can run a 40-yard dash around 4.44.
Daniels will be selected at some point in the 2026 NFL Draft, and whoever takes him will get a receiver capable of year-one production.
