Commanders QB Jayden Daniels relives college memories -- good and bad -- in return to Arizona State

TEMPE, Ariz. — Jayden Daniels is a football phenom these days, excelling during his rookie season with the Washington Commanders one year after winning the Heisman Trophy following a standout season at LSU.

His career hasn't always been this smooth and successful.

In an interesting twist to Daniels' rookie year, the Commanders are practicing this week on Arizona State's campus in preparation for a game with the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. Daniels spent his first three college seasons with the Sun Devils, grinding through up-and-down moments before eventually transferring to LSU.

His time in the desert was far from perfect, but he wouldn't trade it.

“It was a start for me,” Daniels said. “It started all of this and built a foundation. The people that recruited me here, I can't thank them enough for what they've done for me and my football career ... still cherish it to this day.”

Daniels has flourished since his time at Arizona State, first at LSU and now with the Commanders. He looked like a budding NFL star after completing 21 of 23 passes for 254 yards and two touchdowns in a 38-33 win at Cincinnati on Monday night. Daniels also ran for 39 yards and a touchdown in his third NFL game.

Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray — who knows quite a bit about being a dual-threat quarterback — was watching at home. He was impressed, just like everyone else.

“He did his thing,” Murray said.

Daniels had a breakout freshman season at Arizona State in 2019 under Herm Edwards, throwing for nearly 3,000 yards and 17 touchdowns. The Sun Devils beat Michigan State on the road, and he threw for 408 yards and three touchdowns in a home win over Oregon, which was one of the best teams in the country.

“First time back in a while,” Daniels said. “Just walking around here and relive some memories in my head. But the main thing is to focus on the Arizona Cardinals."

The COVID-19 pandemic wiped out most of his second season at Arizona State and then in 2021, he regressed in some ways, throwing for 2,380 yards and 10 touchdowns with 10 interceptions.

That's when the quarterback decided to head to LSU. It wasn't the easiest split — even if there's zero doubt it was the correct move for his career. He said he still keeps in touch with Edwards.

“I'm always talking to Herm,” Daniels said. “I love Herm. He recruited me here. Phoenomenal head coach, phenomenal man.”

Daniels' precocious start to his professional career is a big reason the Commanders are a bit of a surprise so far this season with a 2-1 record. The quarterback was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week after his most recent performance, but coach Dan Quinn said he isn't worried about complacency with his quarterback or the rest of his team.

“We didn’t look outside the building for any validation through the first couple weeks, so we’re certainly not looking for that now,” Quinn said.

Murray said he enjoyed watching Daniels' college career from afar, whether it was at Arizona State or LSU. The Cardinals quarterback also transferred during his college career — starting at Texas A&M before eventually winning a Heisman at Oklahoma — so he's traveled a similar path.

Murray ended up being the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 draft. Daniels was the No. 2 pick last April.

The two don't know each other well, but met randomly at the mall once in Arizona, with Murray grinning and saying he was “just this baby-faced, tall kid.”

Now the two will face each other on an NFL field.

“I remember him getting a lot of scrutiny from his teammates when he left (Arizona State), so when he came out on the other side of it, it's always good to see," Murray said.