Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels has had some exemplary performances in his rookie year, including his five-touchdown showing that helped defeat one of the NFC’s top teams. The Commanders came from behind to beat the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 16, 36-33. Daniels, selected second overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, is on a sure-fire path to win the Rookie of the Year award.
He was also the 2023 Heisman Trophy honoree and has sent a warm message to the prestigious award’s succeeding recipient.
Jayden Daniels’ Message to Travis Hunter
Hunter’s name was called in New York on Dec. 14 as the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner. With his impeccable play on both offense and defense that led to a 9-3 record this year, he added the coveted award to his cabinet.
In a TMZ Sports clip uploaded on Dec. 26, Daniels congratulated and praised Hunter:
“Congratulations to him for joining the Heisman family. … He is a special player. Just know I’m always rooting for him.”
🔥 Rooting for Travis. Fellow Heisman Winner & NFL QB @JayD__5 on #12
"Congratulations to him for joining the Heisman family. He is a special player. Just know I'm always rooting for him"
📽️ @TMZ_Sports @TravisHunterJr pic.twitter.com/zH11ebuhke
— JaKi 🇺🇸 (@JaKiTruth) December 26, 2024
He also added that he’s unsure whether Hunter would be able to play as both a cornerback and a wide receiver, as he’s done in his college career, but he does believe in the dual-threat nevertheless.
“I mean, he’s an athlete,” Daniels said, via TMZ Sports. “I can’t speak for the organization, but I think the organization will utilize him however it thinks is best. I know he’s probably going to say he can play both ways. And respectfully so. He should be able to go out there and believe in his abilities, believe in his talent.”
Pro Football Network’s mock draft by Alex Kennedy has the dual-threat star being selected as the No. 2 overall pick by the New England Patriots: “A unicorn in every sense of the word, Travis Hunter‘s exploits at both wide receiver and cornerback have earned him a reputation as a potential all-time great.
“Hunter’s hyper-elite athleticism, flexibility, and playmaking instincts set the foundation for him on both sides of the ball. On offense, he’s an effortless separator, electric catch converter, and a run-after-catch threat. On defense, he’s as deadly a ball hawk as anyone has ever seen.”
Hunter accumulated 1,152 yards on 92 receptions and 14 touchdowns this season and made 31 total tackles with 11 passes defended.