ARIZONA STATE FOOTBALL
Jayden Daniels now expected to transfer from ASU, per reports
After initially signaling he would return to Arizona State for a fourth year as the Sun Devils’ starting quarterback, Jayden Daniels is expected to enter the transfer portal on Thursday, reports SunDevilSource.com.
The request is being processed and staffers are aware of the senior’s decision. It is not known whether Daniels could still take himself out of the portal for a return to Arizona State, adds SunDevilSource.com.
The Athletic’s Doug Haller confirmed the report that Daniels intends to transfer.
Daniels announced on Dec. 2 his intention to return to ASU for his senior season, but that was before the Sun Devils saw both of its coordinators resign amid the ongoing NCAA investigation into the program’s recruiting practices.
If Daniels were to return for the 2022 season, he would play for offensive coordinator Glenn Thomas, the quarterback’s third OC in four seasons as a Sun Devil.
Should Daniels depart, sophomore Trenton Bourguet and Alabama transfer Paul Tyson are among the suitors for the starting job. Incoming freshman Bennett Meredith as well as returnees Finn Collins and Daylin McLemore are also expected to return.
In an edited video posted to Twitter on Dec. 2 that ended with a musical drop from T.I.’s song “I’m back,” Daniels was shown embracing head coach Herm Edwards in that announcement.
— Jayden Daniels (@JayD__5) December 2, 2021
The clip also includes an audio soundbite from Edwards, who will return for 2022 as an embattled coach with half of his coaching staff turned over and having signed the worst recruiting class of his four-plus-year run.
“We talk about life, we talk about him becoming a leader,” Edwards says in the video posted by Daniels. “And I’ve talked to him about this: Enjoy being in college football. Just enjoy it.”
Now, it appears Daneils will do so elsewhere.
SunDevilSource.com reports that ASU believed Daniels would return to the point that the program did not pursue interested quarterback transfer Spencer Rattler.
ASU elected not to pursue Spencer Rattler, the top quarterback prospect in the 2019 class out of Pinnacle High School in Phoenix and former Oklahoma starter who entered the transfer portal this offseason, after Edwards met with Daniels and his mother following last season. Rattler had serious interest in ASU according to multiple program sources, but has since moved on to South Carolina.
Daniels suffered through a bumpy 2021 season. He completed 65% of his passes for 2,380 yards, but his 7.9 yards per attempt and 136.2 passing rating were the lowest of his three seasons at ASU.
The 6-foot-3 signal caller threw 10 touchdowns to 10 interceptions and relied heavily — often too much, Edwards has admitted — on his legs.
On the ground, Daniels has been dangerous for opponents.
He rushed for 710 yards on 138 carries, scoring six touchdowns to help Arizona State to an 8-5 record.
