Two former Sun Devils face off in prime time

TEMPE, Ariz. — While the Arizona State football program is enjoying the holiday weekend after picking up a Thursday win, two former ASU football players will be facing off in prime time. Jayden Daniels and Johnny Wilson both had nice Arizona State careers before transferring. Both of the players headed east, Daniels to LSU and Wilson to Florida State. Tonight No. 5 LSU plays No. 8 FSU in Orlando. The matchup is the only one between two top-25-ranked teams in Week 1.

Daniels and Wilson competing in prime time

At Arizona State, Jayden Daniels became the first true freshman to start the first game of the season at quarterback (A few years later Jaden Rashada joined this club). Daniels spent three years as a Sun Devil (including the 2020 COVID season), but was never able to top his magical freshman campaign.

As a freshman, the highly touted prospect threw for just under 3,000 yards. He also added on 17 touchdowns and only threw a whopping two interceptions. The California native also proved to be a dangerous threat on the ground. Daniels proved to be a difficult runner to bring down, with great change of speed and shiftiness. He ran for 355 yards his freshman season, scoring three rushing touchdowns.

During his freshman season, Daniels had the innate ability and feel for the game to know when to throw, and when to tuck it and go. As his career developed, the quarterback began to rely too much on his running game.

His junior season was his most successful running the football (with Arizona State), but his worst through the air. All eyes were on Daniels after his breakout freshman season. He was a junior and there were whispers of the Heisman and an early selection in the NFL Draft.

Unfortunately for Daniels and the Sun Devils, he struggled. He threw for 2,300 yards and 10 touchdowns. The bad news? 10 interceptions and the lowest passer rating of his career, 136.2. However, what yards he lost in his passing regression, he gained running.

Daniels ran for 700 yards in 13 games during his junior season. If you ask many ASU fans, that was a problem. The same quarterback that went toe-to-toe with Justin Herbert his freshman season, fell in love with his legs and it hindered rather than helped.

After scandals and allegations surrounding the program, as well as his struggles, Daniels heads for greener grass.

The move seemed to work out for Daniels. In 2022 he had the best season of his career and helped lead a resurging LSU to the SEC Championship game. Now entering 2023, Daniels sits at No.2 in the Heisman odds according to Draft Kings and LSU has championship aspirations. Not SEC, national.

Johnny Wilson’s career at Arizona State

Johnny Wilson came to Tempe as a highly touted four-star wide receiver prospect from Calabasas, Calif. The 247 Sports Composite Ranking had him sitting just outside the top 100, a very impressive feat.

However, at Arizona State, Wilson never found his footing. He saw limited action in his freshman season, which is understandable for a true freshman. Wilson only appeared in three games and only had six catches.

In 2021 for his sophomore season, he got a little more burn. In the shortened season due to the pandemic, Wilson appeared in five games. He hauled in 12 receptions for 154 yards and a touchdown. In a very strange season, he showed flashes of great things and was finally adjusting to the college game.

Wilson was primed for a junior season breakout. That’s precisely what happened.

Just not at Arizona State.

In Wilson’s first season with FSU, he was one of the best wide receivers in the conference. In 13 games played he had 43 catches for just under 900 yards. Wilson also brought in five touchdowns.

The most impressive part of his game? His big-play ability. Wilson finished first in the ACC in average yards-per-catch with 20.9. That number was good enough for him to earn the second overall spot nationally.

Both Johnny Wilson and Jayden Daniels are primed for the best seasons of their career and to have major impacts on playoff-contending teams. Arizona State fans will have a bitter taste in their mouths watching these two players compete at one of the highest levels in the sport on national TV.

Another consequence of the Herm Edwards era at Arizona State.

Thank you for reading Sun Devil Daily! Follow us on Twitter to stay up to date with Arizona State news! For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Managing Editor at brendonpricco@gmail.com. Also, make sure to check out the Sun Devil Daily shop for merchandise! Forks up!