CJ Daniels goes from highlight-reel Hurricanes catches to sixth-round draft pick
CJ Daniels made his share of highlight-reel catches and showcased his leadership abilities during his one season with the Miami Hurricanes.
The wide receiver will now get the chance to put those on display in the NFL.
The Los Angeles Rams drafted Daniels in the sixth round with the No. 197 overall pick on Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft on Saturday.
Daniels, whose career started at Liberty and continued at LSU before moving on to Miami for his final season, caught 50 passes for 557 yards and seven touchdowns in 13 games with the Hurricanes, who reached the College Football Playoff National Championship Game.
Perhaps none were bigger than his leaping one-handed touchdown catch between a pair of defenders in the first half of Miami’s season-opening win over Notre Dame.
“When the ball is in the air,” Daniels said, “I just feel like it’s really just me and the ball.”
Over his college career, Daniels caught 198 passes for 2,991 yards and 28 touchdowns.
What they’re saying
-NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein notes Daniels’ “tremendous feel for creating catch opportunities with varied route tempo, body control and late separation tactics.”
“He will struggle against a quality press and might need to be schemed into releases against certain corners. Daniels excels in putting himself between the throw and the defender, winning contested catches at a high rate during his time at LSU (2024) and Miami (2025). He’s confident, crafty and focused, but he’s average after the catch and unlikely to help on special teams, so his road to a roster spot will be challenging.”
-The Athletic’s Dane Brugler says Daniels “might lack explosive speed, but he creates separation with crafty instincts and finishes with dependable ball skills.”
“Daniels doesn’t have a true difference-making trait, but his package of skills is easy to appreciate. He has quality size and foot quickness with gliding movements to attack coverage. Whether wide open or double covered, he frames the ball with the same focus and prides himself on doing whatever is asked of him within the offense.”
-CBS Sports had Daniels as its No. 233 overall prospect and No. 34 wide receiver
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