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Jayden Daniels: the Commanders X-Factor

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) waves to the crowd after an overtime victory over the Atlanta Falcons during an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Landover, Md. The Commanders won 30-24. (AP Photo/Nick Wass) (Nick Wass, Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

ROANOKE, Va. – “He’s a guy who likes competition, likes big moments.”

“There’s an X-factor that he has.”

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Defining the term cool, calm and collected, Jayden Daniels has Washington D.C. feeling like 2012 all over again when the likes of Robert Griffin III took the league by storm. But taking it a step further, the former Heisman Trophy winner seemingly hasn’t missed a beat.

“Just the drive and the hunger to get better each and every day and really just learn different things and being a sponge,” Daniels said. “Just got people in the locker room that’s been playing at a high level for years and years to come. I want to be one of those people in the future to continue to play at a high level.”

Daniels has set the bar high in year one with multiple records in tow:

-Most rushing yards by a rookie QB.

-First player with 1,000 passing yards and 250 rushing yards in the first five games.

-12 TD passes in the 4th quarter and overtime.

A lot of growth has taken place since that Week 1 loss to the Buccaneers and Daniels hopes to showcase that Sunday night along with that dazzling humble attitude.

“It’s crazy just to see the growth over, not even a year. And you just learn something different each and every game. It was just something new, you just get more comfortable,” said Daniels.

“I would say there’s probably the compartmentalize, but there’s also a rock solid, disciplined approach that he takes to performing, to practicing, to preparing,” said Commanders head coach Dan Quinn. “And I think some of that leads to the compartmentalize, like, ‘I am ready for this. I’ve trained, I’ve put the work in.’”


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About the Author
Eric Johnson headshot

Eric is no stranger to the Roanoke Valley. He is a Roanoke native and proud graduate of William Fleming High School.