JT Daniels has been a journeyman quarterback since entering the college ranks in 2018. The USC Trojan turned Georgia Bulldog announced he was entering the transfer portal about a week after he was on the bench for Georgia’s CFP National Championship loss. Seeking playing time, Daniels was visiting schools across the country and after taking some time, he has landed on “the one” for 2022.
According to ESPN, Daniels told them that he is transferring to the West Virginia Mountaineers. Missouri and Oregon State were also considered as Daniels visited those schools as well.
As ESPN noted, many factors went into Daniels choosing West Virginia. Among the reasons, West Virginia has an experienced offensive line and skill players but inexperienced quarterbacks. That means Daniels is likely to get (and keep) the starting job and work on staying healthy, which is something he admits that he has to prove. In addition, Daniels is reunited with offensive coordinator and QB coach Graham Harrell, who was offensive coordinator at USC when Daniels was there in 2019.
Injuries was one reason why Daniels lost his starting job at USC and Georgia. A torn ACL at USC resulted in Kedon Slovis coming in and playing so well that he kept the starting job and Daniels transferred to Georgia. While at Georgia, Daniels got the starting job toward the end of the 2020 season, making him a potential Heisman candidate entering 2021. An oblique and lat muscle injury sidelined Daniels early in the season and Stetson Bennett stepped in, leading the Bulldogs to the title game. With Bennett returning to Georgia this upcoming season, that was the writing on the wall for Daniels that Georgia was Bennett’s team and if he he wants a better chance at getting playing time and continue his pro aspirations, he’ll need to transfer elsewhere.
Some might see this as somebody running away from a challenge but if you’re someone who would like to play in the NFL and you are coming up to the end of your college eligibility and you need to prove you’re not injury prone, being on the bench isn’t the best way to show that.
[ESPN]
