Daniels displays on following Burrow at LSU

ASHBURN, Va. — Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels felt the strain when he arrived at LSU. Two years earlier, quarterback Joe Burrow had led the Tigers to a nationwide championship, gained the Heisman Trophy and develop into the highest decide within the draft.

And two years later Daniels exited in virtually comparable vogue: profitable the Heisman and changing into the No. 2 decide within the draft. They face each other for the primary time within the NFL on Monday night time when Washington (1-1) performs at Cincinnati (0-2).

However, Daniels stated, it wasn’t straightforward.

“It was a loopy expertise,” Daniels stated of following Burrow. “The followers had been very spoiled of what Joe did. They had been on the lookout for The Subsequent. My first 12 months, I performed rather well and it nonetheless wasn’t sufficient for the followers. Coming again I used to be like, OK, I am not going to care what anyone says and I had the 12 months I had. You have to earn the respect of individuals, however to come back after Joe? It is not straightforward in any respect man. In no way.”

Each gamers excelled of their second 12 months with LSU after transferring from elsewhere — and each had been thought of probably middle-rounds picks had they exited after that first season.

Burrow transferred to LSU after two years at Ohio State. In his first season with the Tigers, Burrow threw for two,894 yards and 16 landing passes. A 12 months later, Burrow threw for five,671 yards and 60 landing passes in 15 video games — main LSU to a nationwide championship within the 2019 season.

“He had an incredible season; everybody stated it was arguably one of many biggest school soccer seasons ever,” Daniels stated. “To go on the market and having to take care of the strain of what can this child do? That simply ready me for the second; do not let the second be too massive or too little, and go on the market and silence the noise.”

On the time, Daniels was a freshman quarterback at Arizona State. However, after three years with the Solar Devils — and two years after Burrow left — he transferred to LSU. His experience mirrored Burrow’s: In his first season, Daniels threw for two,913 yards and 17 touchdowns.

Then, after an offseason spent arriving on the facility at 5 a.m. for movie periods — and dealing with digital actuality know-how to simulate video games — Daniels’ star ascended. He threw for 3,812 yards and 40 touchdowns in 12 video games, additionally speeding for 1,134 yards and 21 scores.

Daniels stated he observed fan response to him altering early final season. Like Burrow, Daniels used to must exit by means of a distinct door to keep away from a crush of followers ready for the gamers.

“We tried to rewrite historical past as finest as we are able to,” Daniels stated, “however it’s exhausting after you have any person that did what they did at a loopy excessive stage. However midway by means of the season, we type of moved previous that — like OK, what Joe did is nice and what Jayden is doing is what he is doing.

“Joe is Joe, I am me, two completely different folks. One factor I dwell by is that comparability is the thief of pleasure. Should you maintain evaluating folks, you will take the enjoyment out of it.”

Daniels stated that due to what he went by means of at LSU and the usual Burrow set, it was simpler coming to the NFL. Washington has not had stellar quarterback play for a very long time. Since 2000, Washington has had two seasons when the quarterback made the Professional Bowl: Robert Griffin III in 2012 and Kirk Cousins in 2016.

Regardless, Daniels is aware of there’s one state that might be paying shut consideration Monday.

“It is massive for the entire state of Louisiana to see each of us go up in opposition to one another,” Daniels stated.

Daniels stated he and Burrow discuss from time to time; they final texted earlier than coaching camp, wishing each other a wholesome season and “see you in Week 3.”