Former Arizona State quarterback Jayden Daniels credits his time as a Sun Devil for laying the groundwork for his burgeoning NFL career. Practicing with the Washington Commanders in Tempe this week ahead of their matchup with the Arizona Cardinals, Daniels reflected on his journey from college football to the NFL.
A Grateful Reflection on ASU
“Started all this, laid the foundation. Obviously the people that recruited me here, I can’t thank them enough for what they’ve done for me in my football career,” said Daniels, who donned the maroon and gold from 2019-21. “And the relationships that I’ve made off the field here, still cherish them to this day.”
Daniels, selected as the No. 2 overall pick, has a strong connection to his past, particularly with former head coach Herm Edwards. Despite the NCAA infractions that marred ASU during Edwards’ tenure, Daniels maintains a positive rapport.
“I’m always talking to Herm. Love Herm. He recruited me here,” Daniels expressed. “Phenomenal head coach, phenomenal man. Looked out for me while I was here. I still talk to him today so that dynamic’s still there.”
The Impact of NIL
Addressing the topic of name, image, and likeness (NIL), which gained traction during his college years, Daniels clarified that it did not influence his decision to transfer from ASU to LSU after the 2021 season. At LSU, he achieved the pinnacle of college football by winning the Heisman Trophy last year.
“It didn’t mean nothing to me. My time here was great, but I didn’t leave for any NIL purposes or things like that. NIL didn’t really have that much of an impact on me,” Daniels stated. “But I’m never against players making money off their name, image and likeness. Just know what’s the end goal for you.”
Instead of pursuing NIL opportunities, Daniels emphasized that transferring to LSU allowed him to grow both as a player and as an individual. His time at ASU marked his first experience of independence.
Celebrating Fellow Sun Devils
While his time at ASU ended on a bittersweet note, Daniels acknowledged the program’s ability to develop professional talent under Edwards. He proudly mentioned former teammates Brandon Aiyuk, Rachaad White, and Ricky Pearsall as significant figures in his journey.
“It’s awesome. It started here, we grew up and to see everybody live out their dreams, those are brothers to me,” Daniels said.
Aiyuk and Pearsall were both first-round picks, while White was selected in the third round. Daniels himself became the No. 2 overall pick after his standout performance at LSU.
Standout Moments from ASU
Daniels reminisced about his remarkable moments at ASU, particularly an upset victory over Oregon during which he earned the Pac-12 Player of the Week award as a freshman. His chemistry with Aiyuk was pivotal in securing the game-winning touchdown.
Another highlight he fondly recalled was the thrill of being undefeated against Arizona, including the memorable 70-7 victory in 2020.
Back to His Roots
As he returns to Tempe, Daniels expressed his excitement about reconnecting with his roots.
“It’s cool, first time back in a while, being able just to walk around here and re-live some memories in my head,” Daniels said Wednesday. “But the main thing is to focus on the Arizona Cardinals.”
As he prepares for Sunday’s game, Daniels remains grounded, acknowledging the foundation his time at ASU has provided for his NFL journey.
