Jayden Daniels Talks Raiders, Antonio Pierce

NFL Draft prospect and Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels has known Las Vegas Raiders' Coach Antonio Pierce since high school, and he discussed that relationship today.

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- As a former college coach, Las Vegas Raiders Coach Antonio Pierce has the luxury of being an appealing figure for NFL Draft prospects, especially those who played under him.

The 2023 Heisman Trophy winner, Jayden Daniels, is one of those prospects, having played at Arizona State for three seasons, two of them when Pierce served as the associate head coach.

At this week's NFL Combine, Daniels reunited with Pierce when he met with the Raiders.

"It was great," Daniels said when he addressed the media at the Combine on Friday. "Obviously, going in there, I already knew Coach Antonio Pierce, but just overall, meeting the whole staff, meeting everybody else was great. Great energy, be able just to sit down and talk ball."

NFL Draft prospect, and Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels knew Las Vegas Raiders' Coach Antonio Pierce since high school, and he discussed that relationship today / © Trevor Ruszkowski | 2024 Mar 1

Daniels said he "could envision [himself] playing anywhere."

"Obviously, I know him [Pierce], I was at ASU with him, but not even just him but just everybody," Daniels said. "I'm just grateful to be in this position, this opportunity."

Daniels played 29 games at Arizona State before he transferred. He has come a long way since his very college season with the Sun Devils in 2019.

"I'll just say just my growth overall as a person [has been the biggest change], not even a football player, but just an overall human being from 18 to all the way to finishing my last game at 22," Daniels said. "It's been a long journey, but just my growth as a person, that's the biggest change."

Daniels ultimately finished his college career with 12,750 passing yards, which puts him in the top 30 all-time for a Division I FBS quarterback, and he No. 28 in passing yards. Daniels also threw 89  touchdown passes.

The NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Mich., on April 25-27, 2024. The Las Vegas Raiders currently hold the No. 13 overall pick.

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