ASU QB Jayden Daniels is a hot freshman All-American pick
Aug 20, 2019, 9:05 AM
Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) looks to throw during the Arizona State Sun Devils spring football game on February 28, 2019 at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
(Photo by Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
So far, Jayden Daniels has kept up with the hype.
The Arizona State quarterback entered school as the presumed favorite to win the starting job as a true freshman. That became true this past week.
The second-ranked dual-threat quarterback in his college class, according to 247 Sports, was named the Sun Devils’ signal-caller to open against Kent State on Aug. 29.
But the hype train doesn’t stop there.
Both 247 Sports’ Barton Simmons and ESPN’s Tom Luginbill picked Daniels as their quarterback on their respective preseason freshman All-American teams.
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It’s important here to point out why Luginbill might have the insight to believe so strongly in Daniels: Luginbill is the son of current ASU director of player personnel Al Luginbill. Insiders tips aside, there’s a lot of reason to buy in to Daniels.
During his high school career in San Bernardino, Calif., the quarterback threw for 14,007 passing yards and 170 passing touchdowns at Cajon High School, breaking past sectional records. He also rushed for 3,645 yards and 41 more scores, drawing offers to attend USC, UCLA, Alabama, Georgia and Ohio State, among others.
Instead of staying in Southern California or leaving for a college football powerhouse, he committed to the Sun Devils.
The 6-foot-3, 180-pound Daniels entered college in the spring and won the quarterback competition over two other highly-touted true freshmen, Ethan Long and Joey Yellen, as well as junior Dillon Sterling-Cole.
Daniels, of course, will need help if he’s on his way to make any postseason freshman All-American team.
Though N’Keal Harry’s departure for the NFL leaves a void at receiver, returning for head coach Herm Edwards’ team are relatively experienced wideouts like Brandon Aiyuk, Kyle Williams and Frank Darby.
Running back Eno Benjamin could chase an All-American season himself to provide a balanced attack for the Sun Devils.
Arguably the biggest issue is along the offensive line, where the most experienced player, Cohl Cabral, has moved positions — from center to left tackle.
If that group can keep Daniels upright enough, there’s good reason to believe the freshman will have a chance at proving Simmons’ and Luginbill’s predictions correct.
