Washington’s Heisman winner history continues with Daniels
Fred Jeter | 5/2/2024, 6 p.m.
![The Washington Commanders are now two deep in Heisman Trophy winners at the quarterback position. With the second selection of … The Washington Commanders are now two deep in Heisman Trophy winners at the quarterback position. With the second selection of …](https://epmgaa.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/photos/2024/05/02/Jayden_Heisman_t580.jpg?8f1b5874916776826eb17d7e67de7278c987ca33)
The Washington Commanders are now two deep in Heisman Trophy winners at the quarterback position.
With the second selection of the April 25 NFL Draft, the Commanders chose Heisman winner Jayden Daniels out of LSU.
The 6-foot-4, 210-pound Daniels led the NCAA in totaloffense last season, piling up 4,946 yards (3,812 in the air) with 50 touchdowns, 40 passing and 10 running. Daniels was selected by Washington after the Chicago Bears made Southern California quarterback Caleb Williams the overall No. 1 pick.
As it stands now, Washington’s likely backup is journeyman Marcus Mariota, the 2014 Heisman recipient out of Oregon. Mariota was drafted by Tennessee (second overall) and has also played for Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Las Vegas. The native Hawaiian, 30, signed a one-year deal with Washington in March.
The probable third-string QB figures to be Jeff Driskell, 31, (Louisiana Tech) now with his eighth NFL franchise in eight seasons.
There was a QB vacancy in D.C. when the franchise traded the 2014 starter, Sam Howell, to Seattle following a 4-13 season. Washington has a long history with the Heisman champs.
Others drafted by Washington were Vic Janowicz (halfback out of Ohio State in
1950), Ernie Davis (running back from Syracuse) in 1961, Desmond Howard (wide receiver out of Michigan in1991), and Robert Griffin III (quarterback from Baylor in 2011). Other Heisman winners to play for Washington, via trades/free agency, were quarterbacks Danny Wuerffel (from Florida) and Gary Beban (UCLA), and running back George Rogers (South Carolina).
Whether it be Daniels, Mariota, or Driskell, Washington will have its eighth straight opening day starting QB in eight seasons.
HBCU Note: There were no HBCU players picked in this draft, although many will sign free-agent contracts with NFL teams.