DETROIT — With the second overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Washington Commanders selected Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels in Detroit on Thursday.
The former LSU quarterback was expected to be one of the top two players taken in the opening round – only behind 2022 Heisman winner Caleb Williams (USC) selected No. 1 by the Chicago Bears.
"I can't wait to get to work," Daniels told media following his selection. "I'm just coming in to play my role, whatever that is. I just want to be the best teammate to help the team win and bring the victories back to Washington, D.C."
Washington selected Daniels over Drake Maye (UNC), Michael Penix Jr. (Washington) and J.J. McCarthy (Michigan). According to Daniels, the Commanders played their cards close to the chest.
“They did a pretty good job of not showing their hand too much,” Daniels said. “But I was pretty confident based off the conversations that we had that I was able to come here and fit into the Commanders team. I’m here now. I can’t wait to get to work.”
Earlier in the week, Daniels fielded questions regarding his interest in playing for the Commanders, who finished 4-13 last year and haven't recorded a winning season since going 8-7-1 in 2016.
“I’m blessed to go wherever I’m called,” Daniels told reporters on Wednesday. “Whoever calls my phone, whoever gives the card to the Commissioner that says my name, I’m blessed to go and they’re gonna get my all.”
During his final season in Baton Rouge, Daniels not only became the third LSU Tiger to win the Heisman, the Consensus All-American also won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, Walter Camp Award, Davey O'Brien Award, Manning Award, AP College Football Player of the Year and SEC Offensive Player of the Year.
The California native and Arizona State transfer led the nation in total offense with 412.2 yards per game during his senior season at LSU. He finished second in the FBS in TD passes with 40 and he’s rushed for another 10 for 50 TDs – just one shy of Oregon QB Bo Nix (45 passing, 6 rushing), who played in two more games.
Daniels threw for 3,812 yards, connecting on 236-of-327 passes with only four interceptions, and rushed for 1,134 yards on 135 carries last season. He joined former Manning Award recipient Johnny Manziel as the only player in SEC history to pass for 3,500 yards and rush for 1,000 yards in a season.
The LSU offense featured the nation's second leading receiver in yardage (1,569) with Biletnikoff Award runner-up Malik Nabers and two of the top three touchdown producers at wide receiver in Brian Thomas Jr (17) and Nabers (14), first and third respectively.
Nabers was selected by the New York Giants four picks later at No. 6 overall.
Later in the round, the Jacksonville Jaguars traded down six spots and drafted Thomas with the 23rd overall pick.
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