Potential Patriots draft pick Jayden Daniels reveals his ‘overlooked’ trait
"I don’t back down from anything or anybody. So I worked hard for it."
There’s very little that Jayden Daniels can’t do under center.
The former LSU QB and reigning Heisman Trophy winner is considered a near-lock to be taken off the board with a top-three pick in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft thanks to his dual-threat skillset.
During his Heisman season in 2023, Daniels carved up defenses both through the air and on the ground. He completed 72 percent of his passes, recording 3,812 passing yards, 40 touchdowns, and only 4 interceptions. In addition, Daniels rushed for 1,134 rushing yards (8.4 per carry) and 10 touchdowns.
But in a new piece posted by Daniels on The Players’ Tribune, Daniels stressed that scouts still may not have a full grasp on another aspect of his game that he takes plenty of pride in.
“One thing that I think gets overlooked sometimes is that dog and that competitive edge in me,” Daniels wrote in his piece on Wednesday, titled “A Few Words For My People Who Got Me Here”. “People don’t really get to see that side because of who I am as a person. I’m more reserved. I’m calm, I’m quiet. But I’m very competitive. I don’t back down from anything or anybody. So I worked hard for it, and I hoped God would meet my effort with a blessing.”
Daniels’ skills out on the field are evident. But the 23-year-old QB also showcased some of that swagger and competitiveness to the media during LSU’s Pro Day last week.
If New England does manage to pry Daniels off the draft board later this month, he will be viewed by many fans in Foxborough as Tom Brady’s sought-after successor and franchise savior.
But when asked about the weight of that scenario playing out, Daniels didn’t seem all that troubled by potentially following in Brady’s footsteps.
“I played in Death Valley after Joe Burrow,” Daniels said, per Christopher Price of The Boston Globe. “I feel like I’m ready for anything. I’m a game-changer at the quarterback position. That’s what I can bring to that franchise.”
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