ARIZONA STATE FOOTBALL

ASU quarterback Jayden Daniels talks building momentum and muscle

Oct 24, 2020, 11:49 AM

(AP Photo/Matt York)...

(AP Photo/Matt York)

(AP Photo/Matt York)

Since Eno Benjamin and Brandon Aiyuk left Arizona State to fulfill their NFL dreams, quarterback Jayden Daniels has all eyes on him heading into the 2020 season.

However, he says the spotlight will soon be shining on the whole offense.

“I would say coming back as the starting quarterback for ASU, there’s going to be eyes on me, people are going to focus on me,” Daniels told members of the media via Zoom on Wednesday, “but we’ve still got other guys that are coming back and new guys that have come in and can make plays and just make a name for themselves.”

Daniels had a stellar freshman campaign, throwing for 2,943 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2019.

Now, with new offensive coordinator Zak Hill leading the way, Daniels is confident that the team and himself will have continued success.

“I know everybody’s always asking the question of who’s going to replace Eno, who’s going to replace Brandon with the production. But I feel like just as an offense together, there’s going to be guys who will step up and make plays.”

A main focus for the ASU offense this year is to start fast and sustain momentum while racking up points on the scoreboard.

“Last year we had a tendency of a slow start and always playing from behind. … If we want to be top-20, top-14 in the country, you’ve got to score over 30-plus points a game.”

Part of that success will come from not only building chemistry with his newest receivers, but building muscle.

Head coach Herm Edwards encouraged him to gain weight and muscle this year, hoping to lead to a stronger arm and feeling hits less.

The QB also said he sits down with Edwards daily, gleaning advice and confidence from the “well-respected” coach. One discussion that stuck out in Daniels’ mind included Edwards’ advice on how the head coach would handle being in the QB’s position

“His main thing is, ‘When you start running, just know when your journey is over.’ That’s the main thing he tells me,” Daniels said. “I just listen to him. … I don’t have to be superman trying to cut back across the field. Just make the plays that I need to make in order for the team to win.”

As the team looks toward the Nov. 7 kickoff against USC, Daniels won’t see his usual weapons on the field, but knows they’ll be watching — especially Aiyuk, who the QB says he talks to and Facetimes almost every other day.

“That’s the relationship we built over time that he was here,” Daniels said. “That’s my big brother. I say blood couldn’t make us any closer. Seeing him succeed and fulfill his dream out makes me happy. I know he can’t wait until we’re able to play and he’s able to see me play too.”

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Arizona State Football

Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham reacts during the second half of the team's NCAA college footb...

Vincent DeAngelis

Kenny Dillingham talks Jaden Rashada injury, revamped roster ahead of spring ball

ASU football coach Kenny Dillingham addressed quarterback Jaden Rashada's injury, revamped roster and NIL ahead of start of spring ball

6 days ago

Jaden Rashada on the football field...

Arizona Sports

Report: ASU’s Jaden Rashada dealing with thumb injury, will miss spring ball

ASU's Jaden Rashada won't be a full participant in spring ball due to a thumb injury on his throwing hand suffered earlier in the year.

7 days ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: What is Bobby Hurley’s future at Arizona State?

On the latest State of the Sun Devil podcast the guys react to the end of men's basketball season, and wonder what the future of the program will be and how the offseason will unfold. Plus, reactions to football's pro day.

13 days ago

ASU football field...

Dan Bickley

Arizona State reaches rock bottom at end of Pac-12 stay

Rock bottom is mostly a metaphor, a cliché for sports teams that have fallen and can’t get up. But you can find it on the map at ASU.

13 days ago

Michael Crow, Arizona State University president...

Kevin Zimmerman

Now would be a good time for Arizona State to hire an athletic director

Who's to make a decision on Arizona State coach Bobby Hurley without an athletic director? Michael Crow must make a decision soon.

14 days ago

ASU QB Drew Pyne...

Arizona Sports

Former ASU starting QB Drew Pyne headed to Missouri

After playing in just two games in his ASU football career, quarterback Drew Pyne is moving on to the Missouri Tigers.

18 days ago

ASU quarterback Jayden Daniels talks building momentum and muscle