CJ Daniels Scouting Report

By: Michael Higgins

(Image courtesy of Sam Navarro/IMAGN Images)

School: Miami

Class: Redshirt Senior

Position: WR

HT: 6’2

WT: 205 lbs

Background: CJ Daniels was a lightly-recruited 3-star wide receiver in the class of 2020. Out of Lilburn, Georgia, CJ was not a top 200 player in the state and was not a top 300 wide receiver in the class. As a senior for Parkview High School, CJ Daniels totaled 93 catches for 1,411 yards and 15 touchdowns. He was an all-county selection as a junior and a senior. He won two regional titles with Parkview, as well. Daniels was also a basketball player and competed in track in high school. CJ Daniels committed to Liberty out of high school over all of the military academies and North Dakota State.

College: Daniels spent 4 years at Liberty. Over 42 games at Liberty, he caught 106 passes for 1,959 yards and 21 touchdowns. In his final season with the Flames, he was an All-Conference USA Second Team selection. After a prolific time with Liberty, Daniels transferred to LSU. In his one season at LSU, Daniels caught 42 passes for 480 yards. Daniels transferred, again, for his last season, this time to Miami. Daniels was one of the most reliable weapons in the Hurricanes’ offense in 2025. He posted 50 receptions for 557 yards and 7 touchdowns.

Strengths: CJ Daniels has some of the stickiest hands you’ll find in a wide receiver. He has soft hands and displays a smooth process throughout the catch. Daniels has a large catch radius and can catch the ball far away from his frame. Daniels climbs the ladder to make plays on the ball in the air; he is extremely aggressive at the catchpoint. He displays excellent body control in the air to put himself in the best position to bring down the football. Daniels is also a savvy route runner who can create separation at all 3 levels of the field. His route running prowess, combined with his size, makes him alignment versatile. Turn on the tape, and you’ll see Daniels line up just about anywhere.

Weaknesses: Daniels does not have the speed to create separation vertically. He relies more on his footwork to do so. His deep ball targets are usually heavily contested. Daniels is not a strong wide receiver, and he can be seen getting jammed by the bigger press man corners. As a blocker, his lack of strength is apparent. He gets knocked off his foundation rather easily, and defenders have no problem shedding him.

Conclusion: CJ Daniels is a big playmaker with sticky hands. He can catch just about anything thrown his way. He is a crafty route runner with dynamic footwork to create separation in a tight space. He won’t separate vertically, but makes up for it with elite ball skills.

Best Team Fits: KC, SEA, MIA

Player Comparison: DeAndre Hopkins

Player Grade: Round 3 (72.3)