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By LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN
Standing apart as the only 2024 Tiger wide receiver to reel in over 1,000 yards and reach double digit touchdowns in a single season, highly prized pass catching titan CJ Daniels transferred from Liberty this off-season to Baton Rouge, arriving on campus as a ready-made talent to be molded by WRU Kingmaker / Co-Offensive Coordinator & WRs Coach Cortez Hankton.
Targeted 82 times, catching 55 passes, recording 1,064 yards at 19.3 per grab (3rd in America), executing the action with 10 touchdowns, Daniels followed up an injury plagued 2022 by delivering a powerhouse performance in 2023.
While many Tiger fans are focused on familiar, longtime LSU receivers Kyren Lacy and Chris Hilton Jr, it could very well be Daniels who becomes a major downfield target for QB Garrett Nussmeier.
Posting 19 catches of 20+ yards (11th in the country last season), Daniels stood alone as the only Division I receiver who caught 55+ passes and held an average of 19 yards per catch.
But can we really expect a Conference USA star to replicate that form at the much tougher SEC level??
I believe we have the evidence to prove he can:
The Georgia-born wideout also ranked 22nd in the country concerning total receiving yards & was 1 of only 16 Division I receivers who punched in 10+ receiving scores.
Despite a slow Spring, where he was at times featured among the 2nd or 3rd units, Hankton has paid close attention to Daniels' development, perhaps working him into the unit, keeping the hunger alive & fire burning.
Regardless, I have come to the conclusion LSU's Atlanta native transfer WR is ready for the big time SEC stage, averaging a ridiculous 3.94 yards per route, a number which topped 2023 marks from LSU's 1st round duo Malik Nabers, Brian Thomas Jr, Biletnikoff fraud Marvin Harrison Jr, and Mizzou's elite, future NFL star Luther Burden.
At 6'2 200, Daniels also possesses the measurables & strength to battle SEC defensive backs, while all the eye tests and numbers on the former Conference USA juggernaut tell us the grad transfer is due for a strong campaign ahead.
Among an offense replete with skill position talents, Daniels is the elder statesman within Hankton's receiving corps, a fact that may prove dividends throughout a long season full of younger Tigers.
His older age is a rarity for Brian Kelly's younger squad as a whole, but for first year starting QB Garrett Nussmeier looking at sure bets he can target, it would be altogether surprising if an aerial dueling specialist like CJ Daniels didn't become one of LSU's more dynamic or productive downfield weapons this fall.
What wouldn't be surprising???
In fact, taking nothing away from the obvious, magnificent strides Chris Hilton Jr & Kyren Lacy worked towards & executed at the end of last season as well as this past Spring, don't be stunned if Daniels turns out to be LSU's leading receiver by the end of 2024.
By LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN
©️ 2024 Uninterrupted Writings Inc
There is a deep and talented WR room. I think they will perform if the scheme set up for Nuss provides variation and explosiveness.