Jayden Daniels is an American professional football quarterback born on December 18, 2000, in Fontana, California.
He played college football for Arizona State University and Louisiana State University, winning the Heisman Trophy in 2023 with LSU.
Daniels was drafted by the Washington Commanders second overall in the 2024 NFL Draft and has made a significant impact, leading the team to playoff victories and earning comparisons to legendary quarterbacks like Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes.
He recently led the Commanders to a historic upset over the Detroit Lions in the divisional round.
Parents
Jayden’s parents are Javon “Jay” Daniels and Regina Jackson.
His father, Javon, played college football as a cornerback for the University of Washington and Iowa State in the late 1990s.
Regina Jackson has been a constant source of support and guidance for Jayden, often attending his games and being vocal about her pride in him.
She became an NFLPA-certified agent in 2024 to help manage her son’s contracts.
Jayden’s parents met while attending Cajon High School in San Bernardino, California.
Career
In college, Daniels began his journey at Arizona State University, where he became the first true freshman to start at quarterback since 2012.
During his freshman year in 2019, he set records for total yards by a freshman in school history, leading the Sun Devils to an 8-5 record and a victory in the Sun Bowl.
Daniels continued to excel in his sophomore and junior years, adapting to different coaching systems and leading the team through challenging seasons, including the COVID-19 pandemic-affected 2020 season.
After transferring to Louisiana State University in 2022, he quickly became a key player.
Daniels led the Tigers to several significant victories, including a win over Alabama, which marked LSU’s first victory over the Crimson Tide since 2019.
In his final college season in 2023, Daniels had a phenomenal year, winning the Heisman Trophy and becoming the first LSU quarterback to do so.
He set multiple records, including LSU’s single-season rushing yards and touchdowns by a quarterback. His leadership and performance were instrumental in LSU’s success.
In the professional arena, Daniels was drafted second overall in the 2024 NFL Draft by the Washington Commanders.
This selection highlighted his potential as a top-tier quarterback in the NFL.
His rookie season was historic, as he broke multiple NFL rookie records, including those for rushing yards and completion percentage.
Daniels led the Commanders to several playoff victories, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure.
He was selected to the Pro Bowl as a rookie, a rare achievement that underscores his immediate impact on the league.
