The Miami Hurricanes reaching the National Championship sets a new benchmark for "The U." Wide receiver CJ Daniels reflects on a transformative season, igniting a lasting legacy.
Despite a difficult loss in the National Championship against the Indiana Hoosiers, with a final score of 27-21, it shouldn't be overlooked that the Miami Hurricanes overcame a tremendous amount of adversity and reached the biggest stage in college football for the first time in over two decades. It does mark the end of a chapter for many players, including wide receiver CJ Daniels.
"It [coming to "The U"] meant the most to me," he said after the game. "Coming in, we all had a plan. We all talked about the National Championship. It starts with belief and coming to work every day. This whole team did a great job of coming to work and practicing with a chip on our shoulder."
Daniels was part of a tremendous group of transfer portal acquisitions, along with quarterback Carson Beck, wide receiver Keelan Marion, and defensive backs Keionte Scott and Jakobe Thomas.
The six-year veteran finished the year catching 50 passes for 557 yards and scoring seven touchdowns.
Despite the final results, Daniels believes a new standard has been permanently placed within the Hurricanes.
"It's a new standard at 'The U' now," he added. "This is something that we're going to feel forever. Something that the younger guys, the guys who are coming back, have to feel and rewrite the story."
As the Hurricanes embark on a new journey with a completely different team, Daniels had a great message for the next generation taking over:
"Don't forget this feeling," he said. "Use it as fuel and motivation."
The leadership of Daniels and Marion, with their long experience, played a role in the electrifying takeover of wide receiver Malachi Toney. The 18-year-old caught 109 passes for 1,211 yards and scored 10 touchdowns.
Toney will be one of the biggest leaders for the Hurricanes next season, especially with National Championship experience.
Daniels only played one season with the program, but it was filled with electrifying plays, such as the one-handed catch in week one against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, which resulted in a touchdown. He could declare for the upcoming NFL draft, projected to be between the third or fouth round selection.
The Hurricanes acquired a couple of transfer portal wide receivers in Cam Vaughn and Vandrevius Jacobs. Both aren't as experienced as Daniels and Marion, but they will bring a tremendous impact on the field.
"It's probably been one of the best years of my life," Daniels said.
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