With the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Washington Commanders selected quarterback Jayden Daniels. Here’s everything you need to know about the Heisman Trophy winner and his journey to the NFL.
How Tall Is Jayden Daniels?
While most NFL prospects get measured at the NFL Combine, Daniels opted out of the official measurements. However, during his pro day, he was measured at 6’3 5/8″ after being listed at 6’4″ throughout his collegiate career.
The tallest quarterbacks in the NFL are currently Justin Herbert, Trevor Lawrence, and Tanner McKee, as they are all 6’6″. The shortest QBs are Kyler Murray and Bryce Young, who are each 5’10”.
How Much Does Daniels Weigh?
Daniels weighed in at 210 pounds at his pro day. This puts him slightly below average for an NFL quarterback, as the average weight for QBs is 225 pounds.
The lightest quarterback in the league is Young, who weighed in at 204 pounds. The heaviest QB is Anthony Richardson at 245 pounds.
How Old Is Daniels?
Daniels was born on Dec. 18, 2000, so he’s 23 years old and will turn 24 later in his rookie campaign. Daniels spent five seasons in college, so he’s older than fellow rookies Drake Maye and Caleb Williams, who are both 22 years old. However, he’s younger than fellow rookies Bo Nix and Michael Penix Jr., who are both 24.
What School Did Daniels Go To?
Daniels was born and raised in San Bernardino, Calif. He attended Cajon High School, where he became a four-star recruit in the 2019 class, according to 247Sports. He was ranked as the best dual-threat quarterback in the nation.
He committed to Arizona State, where he spent the first three years of his college career. However, things fell apart, and he entered the transfer portal, taking his talents to Baton Rouge to play for the LSU Tigers.
Revisiting Daniels’ College Career
In 2019, Daniels was a 6’3″, 175-pound true freshman at Arizona State who showed promise in his first year with 2,943 yards, 17 touchdowns, and just two picks.
Ironically, the same year Daniels introduced himself to college football, another LSU quarterback was experiencing a revolutionary career resurgence and NFL Draft rise: Joe Burrow. Daniels made the same Burrow leap at LSU four years later, but his path wasn’t linear.
A COVID-19-shortened 2020 season interrupted Daniels’ flow out of 2019, and in 2021, the entire offense regressed, with Daniels passing for 10 touchdowns and 10 interceptions on 301 attempts.
After that season, Daniels transferred to LSU for a fresh start.
LSU QB Jayden Daniels was a do it all player. Here’s just under 5 minutes of his highlights at LSU.
🐯78 Total TDs
🐯7 INTs
🐯8,749 Total YardsShould be a sure first round NFL draft pick. pic.twitter.com/Q3bUyLgKAp
— College Football Alerts (@CFBAlerts_) January 12, 2024
Daniels’ move to LSU was met with some criticism, but the Tigers turned out to be the best thing for Daniels — and vice versa. Daniels got some of his 2019 magic back in 2022, helping the Tigers win the SEC West. And in 2023, he reached ultimate stardom.
In a campaign that won him the Heisman Trophy, Daniels completed 236 of 327 attempts (72.2%) for 3,812 yards, 40 touchdowns, and just four interceptions. Meanwhile, on the ground, he rushed for 1,134 yards and 10 additional scores.
In addition to the Heisman, he won the Walter Camp Award, AP College Football Player of the Year, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, Davey O’Brien Award, Manning Award, and SN Player of the Year. He was also a consensus All-American and earned first-team All-SEC honors and SEC Offensive Player of the Year.
With little anticipation, Daniels ended up producing one of the most explosive dual-sided QB seasons in college football history. And not only did he forge a legacy for himself, but he also solidified his stock as a true first-round 2024 NFL Draft prospect.