C.J. Daniels

NFL Draft Profile: C.J. Daniels

Position: Wide Receiver | School: Miami (via LSU/Liberty) | Class: Redshirt Senior

Height: 6'2" | Weight: 205 lbs | Archetype: Route Runner / Physical

College Career Summary

C.J. Daniels has taken the long road to draft eligibility, developing from a breakout star at Liberty to a reliable SEC contributor at LSU, before finishing his career as a focal point for Miami in 2025. His 2023 season at Liberty remains his statistical peak (1,067 yards, 10 TDs), but his 2025 campaign at Miami showcased his ability to lead an ACC room and produce in high-leverage moments despite battling mid-season injuries.

In 2025, Daniels served as the Hurricanes' most reliable outside threat. Though he missed three games in November with a lower-leg injury, he returned for the stretch run, finishing with 37 receptions for 420 yards and 7 touchdowns. He is a "technical" receiver who wins with leverage and late hands rather than pure track speed.

Career Stats Highlights

• Total Receptions: 185 | Total Receiving Yards: 2,859 | TDs: 28

• 2025 Stats: 37 Rec, 420 Yds, 7 TD (leads Miami in receiving TDs)

• Drops: Low; known for "natural" plucking ability (roughly 3% drop rate in 2025).

2025 Game-by-Game Grades

Week	Opponent	Stats (Rec/Yds/TD)	Grade	Scout's Notes
1	@ Florida	4 / 35 / 1	B+	Strong debut; adjusted well to a back-shoulder TD.
2	vs Florida A&M	5 / 73 / 2	A	The Apex. Red zone dominance; used his 6'2" frame to box out.
3	vs Ball State	4 / 56 / 0	B	Reliable chain-mover; drew a key DPI on a deep shot.
4	@ South Fla	5 / 27 / 0	C+	Short-area usage; kept the offense on schedule.
5	vs Virginia Tech	5 / 78 / 2	A	Dynamic performance; two massive chunk plays for scores.
6	@ California	5 / 46 / 1	B+	Scored in a hostile environment; high-effort blocking.
7	@ Louisville	7 / 74 / 0	A-	Season-high catches; was the primary target in the intermediate game.
8	vs Florida State	0 / 0 / 0	F	The Injury. Left early with a lower-leg injury; zero stats.
9-11	—	—	N/A	Sidelined (Miami missed his red-zone presence).
12	@ Pitt	2 / 40 / 1	B+	The Return. Only 2 catches, but one was a critical 20-yard TD.
13	@ Texas A&M*	2 / 29 / 0	B-	Gritty performance in a low-scoring defensive battle (W 10-3).

Scouting Grade Rubric

Intangibles (.20) — Grade: 94/100

• Leadership: Immediate locker room leader at Miami; praised by Mario Cristobal for his veteran presence.

• Mental Toughness: Recovered from a 2022 injury and a pedestrian 2024 at LSU to thrive in 2025.

• Competitor: Plays "angry" on the perimeter; elite effort in the run-blocking game.

• Team Player: Credits the QB and O-line in every interview; team-first mentality.

• Star Power: He is the "safety valve"—when the play breaks down, the QB looks for #7.

Physical Tools (.20) — Grade: 88/100

• Height/Weight: 6'2", 205 lbs. (Meets both height and weight targets; NFL-ready frame).

• Stamina: High; a 4th-quarter player who maintains his vertical leap late in games.

• Durability: Generally solid, but missed 3 games in 2025. Medicals will be a point of discussion.

• Injury History: Battled lower-leg injuries in 2022 (Liberty) and 2025 (Miami).

Attributes (.20) — Grade: 92/100

• Catching: Elite. One of the best "natural hand" catchers in the class; extends and plucks.

• Route Running: Highly detailed; understands stem manipulation and leverage.

• Body Control: Exceptional; specialized in high-pointing and the "toe-drag" sideline catch.

• Separation: Creates space via physicality and route-IQ rather than raw speed.

• Release: Efficient; uses a strong "hand-swipe" to beat press-man coverage.

Athleticism (.20) — Grade: 84/100

• Speed: 4.52 (Estimated). Good long speed but won't be a consistent vertical burner in the NFL.

• Agility: Above average; fluid for his size, especially on dig and comeback routes.

• Jumping: Solid; uses 6'2" frame and 35"+ vertical to win 50/50 balls.

• Acceleration: Build-up speed; takes a few steps to reach top gear.

• Break Tackle: Strength. A physical runner after the catch; difficult to arm-tackle.

IQ (.20) — Grade: 96/100

• Awareness: Elite; high "feel" for the soft spots in zone and scramble drills.

NFL Scouting Report

• Strengths: Protypical NFL size and density; elite hands and catch radius; high-IQ route runner who understands blind spots; versatile alignment (X, Z, and big Slot); proven red-zone weapon (7 TDs in 10 games).

• Weaknesses: Lacks "elite" breakaway speed; history of lower-leg injuries; lateral twitch is good but not great.

• Scheme Fit: Ideal Z-Receiver or Physical Slot in a West Coast or Pro-Style offense (e.g., Rams, Vikings, Falcons).

• NFL Comparison: Jakobi Meyers / Michael Gallup.

Scout's Final Word

"C.J. Daniels is the ultimate 'pro' prospect. He doesn't have the flashy 4.3 speed that wins the Combine, but he has the 2025 tape that wins NFL games. He is a quarterback's best friend because of his catch radius and reliable hands. If he clears medicals on that lower leg, he is a ready-made WR3 who can develop into a high-end WR2. Projected: Round 3–4."