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Future Pros: Chase Daniel
By Daniel Freer | June 13, 2008
Missouri Tigers’ fans were very happy when one of the most heralded players in school history decided to forgo the NFL and return for his senior season.
That player, QB Chase Daniel (right, Icon SMI) , is on track to own every school passing record. He is also in a position to lead the Tigers in their quest for a Big XII and a National Championship.
The former high school wide receiver has done quite nicely at QB since moving to that position in his junior year. In his two seasons as the starting QB at Southlake Carroll (Texas), Daniel threw 91 TD passes and rushed for 39 more, leading Southlake to the Class 5A state championship game in 2003 and the state championship in 2004. In his senior season, Daniel won numerous high school honors, including EA Sports National Player of the Year.
Daniel surprised a few people when he chose Missouri over a number of other schools. At the time Mizzou was not one of the most prestigious of football programs, and had not won a conference championship since the 1960s.
In hindsight, going to Missouri was a great move.
In his freshman season, Daniel rose up the depth charts during the 2005 season, becoming the backup to then-starting QB Brad Smith . In limited action that season, Daniel threw for 347 yards and had a 58% completion rate.
Daniel would assume the starting role in 2006 after Smith went on to the NFL. Initially, there were concerns on how well Daniel would perform, as he was replacing a record-setting QB in Smith (only QB in college history to throw for over 8000 yards and rush for over 4000 yards in a career).
Those concerns were pretty much moot early in the 2006 season, as Daniel threw for 3527 yards and 28 TDs. His value went up even further as he added 379 yards and 4 TDs rushing. The Tigers finished 8-5 that season, with Daniel earning second-team All Big XII honors.
The 2007 season was Daniel’s best, where he threw for 4306 yards and 33 TDs. He also rushed for an additional 253 yards and 4 TDs. Mizzou would have one their best seasons in school history, finishing 12-2 overall and first in the Big XII North, with their only losses coming to Oklahoma during the regular season and the Big XII Championship Game. Their Number 4 ranking in the final polls was the highest season-finish in school history. Daniel was selected the Big XII Offensive Player of the Year, and would finish fourth in the Heisman Trophy balloting.
Bigger things are expected from Daniel and Mizzou for the 2008 season. The Tigers are expected to be in the running for the Big XII title and National Championship. It would be the first time winning those titles if Mizzou should do so. Daniel, statistically, should have another stellar season. He returns key weapons in WRs Jeremy Maclin and Danario Alexander , along with TE Chase Coffman . Daniel will be one of the favorites to win the Heisman Trophy.
Although the NFL has some reservations about Daniel’s size (only 6-1), he will be one of the top QBs coming out of college football next season. His experience running sophisticated passing offenses and his mobility will be pluses at the next level. Probably the one NFL QB that Daniel compares most to is New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees . Coming back for one more year can help his draft status, he will just need to make the most of it.
Topics: Big 12, College Football, Daniel Freer, Future Pros, Pro Football, Quarterback |
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