New England Patriots Draft Target Jayden Daniels: 'The Next Randall Cunningham!'

Jayden Daniels could be set to follow in the path of Tommy Hodson, who started for both LSU and the New England Patriots. ... and once he gets here? Hodson has an interest comp - no, not just Lamar Jackson ...

Oct 1, 1988; Gainesville, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; LSU quarterback Tommy Hodson in action against the / RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports

Tommy Hodson know what it's like to go from the bayou to the 'Borough.

Hodson, one of Jayden Daniels' predecessors under center at Louisiana State University, later made his way to the New England Patriots, joining the team as a third-round pick in 1990 before emerging as one of the final Foxborough starting quarterbacks to take snaps before Drew Bledsoe's arrival in the top slot three years later. That union is perhaps inching back in the spotlight thanks to the Patriots' rumored interest in Daniel, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner set to hear his name called early at the upcoming NFL Draft.

The popular measuring stick for Daniels has been Lamar Jackson, with many intrigued by the dual-threat tendencies of the Heisman House roommates. Hodson, however, opted to match Daniels with one of his own contemporaries from the 1990s in an interview with Jacques Doucet of WAFB.

Nov 20, 1994; Tempe, AZ USA; FILE PHOTO; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback (12) Randall Cunningham in / RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports

"He reminds me of Randall Cunningham a lot," Hodson said. "People say Lamar Jackson, I think he looks more like Randall Cunningham, but a better thrower, and he’s become such a better player and a better thrower, I think his decision-making skills, he’s getting to the second guy before he’s tucking and running now."

"But man, when he’s in the open field, he’s electrifying. He makes stuff happen. But his accuracy, I’m amazed at how he’s transformed and become a more accurate thrower.”

The Heisman-winning antics of Daniels were perhaps one of the few things that kept Patriots fans sane last fall, as the team's four-win slog put them in prime position to land his services with the third pick of the upcoming draft. Daniels wowed to the tune of 4,946 total yards from scrimmage and 50 total touchdowns.

Even that, however, wasn't enough for Daniels to usurp Hodson as the most statistically prolific quarterback in Tigers history: the four-year starter and first-team All-SEC rep (1986-89) continues to stand as Baton Rouge's all-time in passing yards and held the mark for aerial touchdowns before Joe Burrow took over in 2019. If and when Daniels gets the call from the Patriots, fans will certainly hope that he finds the success that eluded Hodson, who went 1-11 as an NFL starter in New England's pre-Bledsoe/Bill Parcells futility.

Quarterback Jayden Daniels 5 as the LSU Tigers take on Texas A&M in Tiger Stadium in Baton / SCOTT CLAUSE/USA TODAY Network / USA

Hodson was nonetheless grateful for the New England experience, offering his gratitude in a 2005 retrospective with John Goode of The Standard Times, where he also claimed to still be a Patriots fan.

"The Patriots weren't nearly as good as they are now and it was a rebuilding stage. Initially, I wasn't really sure if I wanted to go to the Patriots but I was honored to be a third-round pick," Hodson said. "I loved it there and Boston is a great city. I grew up in the south and love the south but it was a great experience to be in the northeast because it's a different culture different climate and there is a lot of history."

"I had some great teammates and had a great experience. I met a lot of nice people and unfortunately we didn't have a lot of success when I was there ... (but) I enjoy watching them and pull for them every week. I am a Patriots fan."

Daniels' NFL dream will be realized on April 25, when the draft opens in Detroit.