LSU Transfer Explains his Decision on Committing to Miami

The LSU wide reciver finally committed to Miami after potentially missing out of the first time when a certain quarterback tried to get him to Coral Gables.
CJ Daniels signals first down as the LSU Tigers take on UCLA at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, LA. Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024.
CJ Daniels signals first down as the LSU Tigers take on UCLA at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, LA. Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. / SCOTT CLAUSE/USA TODAY Network / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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The Miami Hurricanes will be losing four wide receivers after this season — three planning to take their talents to the NFL by declaring for the NFL Draft, and another deciding to transfer away — but that did not stop the coaching staff for the Hurricanes from making a few calls that they made last season.

2025 Miami Hurricanes Football Offseason Tracker

LSU transfer wide receiver CJ Daniels was in talks with the Hurricanes last season but ultimately decided that LSU and the SEC were the best options for the talented wide receiver.

Sep 21, 2024; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA;  LSU Tigers wide receiver CJ Daniels (4) reacts after missing a pass against UCLA
Sep 21, 2024; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers wide receiver CJ Daniels (4) reacts after missing a pass against UCLA Bruins defensive back Ramon Henderson (11) during the first half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images / Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Daniels dealt with an injury throughout 2024 but was a real contributor when he was in the lineup. He caught 42 passes for 480 yards but never found the end zone.

Before he ventured to LSU, Daniels was one of the most efficient receivers in the country. In 2023 at Liberty, he caught 55 passes for 1,067 yards, an average of 19.4 yards per catch. He also caught 10 touchdowns.

He spoke alongside SMU wide receiver Kobe Wilson on the Babs Basement Podcast about his LSU experience and talked about how he should have been more open-minded when taking multiple visits. Superstar quarterback Cam Ward even tried to convince him to reconsider but he stayed loyal to the program that first gave him a chance.

Sep 14, 2024; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; LSU Tigers CJ Daniels (4) runs against South Carolina Gamecocks linebacker Bam M
Sep 14, 2024; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; LSU Tigers CJ Daniels (4) runs against South Carolina Gamecocks linebacker Bam Martin-Scott (22) during the second quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images / Ken Ruinard/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

"Really the coaching staff," Daniels said. "When I went through this process, you know last year I was deciding between LSU and Miami. I committed to LSU last year, and two days later they got Cam Ward and he called me and said 'Bro just come take a visit' but I was already locked in."

Once he entered the portal again, Miami were one of the first team to get in contact with him.

"When I got into the portal this year, the coaches didn't skip a beat. They were like 'We still want to coach you, we are here again and just come take a visit'. I don't regret going [to LSU]. I wish I would have been more open to other options. I don't regret making that decision. Being at LSU, the environment and just playing at the SEC level was a great experience," Daniels said.

Colorado head coach Deion Sanders was also trying to get him to be a Buffalo before he decided to commit to the Hurricanes. A choice that he is happy with.

READ MORE FROM MIAMI HURRICANES ON SI:

Miami's Potential Next Quarterback has Entered the Transfer Portal

Another Possible First Round Pick for the Miami Hurricanes: Just a Minute

Miami Lands Elite Secondary Player from Washington State from the Transfer Portal


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Justice Sandle
JUSTICE SANDLE

Justice Sandle is a graduate of Mississippi State University earning a Bachelor of Arts and Science in Communications with a concentration in Print and Digital Journalism. During his time in Starkville, he spent a year as an intern working for Mississippi State On SI primarily covering basketball, football, baseball, and soccer while writing, recording, and creating multimedia stories during his tenor. Since graduating, he has assumed the role of lead staff writer for Miami Hurricanes On SI covering football, basketball, baseball, and all things Hurricanes related.