"It's about who's going to invest in me." Jayden Daniels says after pro day

Jayden Daniels wrapped up his pro-day with all 32 teams in attendance and showed off the arm strength and fluidity as a passer he showed in his 2023 Heisman campaign at LSU. The projected top five pick did not participate in the NFL Combine, instead choosing to workout at LSU with his teammates on Wednesday afternoon.

Daniels, 23, is expected to be a Top 5 pick coming off an incredibly successful collegiate career. He spent three seasons at Arizona State before transferring to LSU to play under head coach Brian Kelly. Daniels took his game to another level in Baton Rouge, throwing for 6,725 yards, 57 touchdowns and seven interceptions on 70.2% passing across two seasons. He added 2,019 yards and 21 touchdowns on the ground.

He met with the media after the workouts and here’s everything he said.

On what he wants the Commanders to know about him…

“They gotta do their homework. It’s about who is going to invest in me, who is going to believe in me, like LSU did on and off the field as a man and a player. They already did their homework and they know who I am as a person and who I am as a player.”

On the Patriots…

“I meet with them today. It’s the same vibe for everybody. Who’s going to invest in me as a man and as a quarterback on and off the field.”

On going in the top two and being ready to play immediately in the NFL…

“God wouldn’t put me in a situation I couldn’t handle, so I feel like he put me in this position and has it mapped out. I feel like I’ll be ready. There’s going to be a learning curve, but I’m ready to hear my name called and then get ready to learn and meet my new teammates.”

On potentially being taken by Washington…

“It would be a blessing wherever I go. With them, it’s a new regime there. Kliff Kingsbury coming from Arizona and we know what he’s done and his track record with quarterbacks. Dan Quin is a good coach and led the Falcons to a Super Bowl, so it’s good to see the new regime and see the plan they have in place for whoever they take, one of the quarterbacks, and moving forward.”

On his development and growth…

“That was my first true offseason. Every offseason I was dealing with something either injury or learning an entire new playbook, then dealing with the pandemic and personal stuff. It made it a lot easier when I’m able to build that comradery with the receivers and you saw it today. Those are my brothers for life and it’s easy throwing them the ball.”

What he wanted to show today…

“The main thing was trying to sell my consistency within the pocket and my footwork. Moving off platform and in rhythm, progressions coming back to a third read, just moving around and making sure I get my feet under me. The rest, we’re just having fun. You hear the music playing. The deep ball is the show and those guys have the speed and I can put it out there for them.”

What he had to do to get on draft boards this year…

“What I did this past season… Just go out there and prove myself. It’s day in and day out. It’s a goal we set. Me, Malik, and Brian all talked about how we want our lives to map out and we put in the work then had to go execute it.”

On wearing Greg Brooks’ jersey and shining light on his teammates…

“It meant a lot. Obviously if Greg was here he would be a part of it, so he’s here in spirit and I’m here to rep him. My teammates that didn’t get an invite to the combine were able to get multiple eyes on them throughout the day with all 32 teams here. It was great for them to go out there and showcase what they have and make their own journey. If they get an opportunity they’re going to crush it.”

On the future of the quarterback room at LSU…

“They’re in good hands, whether that’s Rickie or Nuss. They’re their own person so I’m excited to see them grow into their own and see what they can do this upcoming season.”

On playing for the Patriots…

“Same answer for everybody, it’s whoever believes in me. I can’t control who is calling my phone on draft day, so it is what it is. The reports out there [that I wouldn’t play for them], sometimes you have to call out cap for people so that’s what I had to do.”

On if he will slide at the next level…

“Towards the end of the year I was being smarter, but that just comes with longevity. Getting out of bounds or getting down. Early in the season, I was trying to make plays and thought I was faster, but there are a lot of other things that go into it, stuff we argued about outside of this building, but it’s on me at the end of the day.”