Former Cowboy and 2023 Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels is the second pick in the NFL drafted during a watch party at the school in San Bernardino on Thursday, April 25, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
He may not have been able to hear them all the way in Detroit, but that didn’t stop some of Jayden Daniels‘ biggest fans from roaring with approval when the Washington Commanders announced him as their first-round NFL draft pick Thursday, April 25.
Daniels, a Cajon High School graduate, LSU quarterback and winner of the 2023 Heisman Trophy, was the No. 2 pick in the NFL draft at Campus Martius Park in Detroit Thursday.
The high-energy crowd of about 100 erupted in cheers every time Daniels appeared on the large screen set up in the Cajon High gymnasium, adorned in green and yellow balloons with life-size cutouts of the standout Cowboy, for a draft watch party hosted by the school and San Bernardino City Unified School District.
An NFL live feed followed Daniels, wearing a pale blue suit, black sunglasses and a broad smile, as he made his way from the waiting room to the stage in Detroit.
Chantay Tucker, center reacts with Cajon High School students as former Cowboy and 2023 Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels is the second pick in the NFL drafted during a watch party at the school in San Bernardino on Thursday, April 25, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Former Cowboy and 2023 Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels is the second pick in the NFL drafted during a watch party at the school in San Bernardino on Thursday, April 25, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Cajon High School drummers Jose Tejeda, 17, kisses girlfriend Levia Hendrickson, 17, during a NFL Draft watch party for former Cowboy and 2024 Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels at the school in San Bernardino on Thursday, April 25, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
MaryRone Goodwin cheers as former Cowboy and 2024 Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels is drafted second during a 2024 NFL Draft watch party in San Bernardino on Thursday, April 25, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Cajon High School cheerleaders cheer for former Cowboy and 2024 Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels during an NFL Draft watch party at the school in San Bernardino on Thursday, April 25, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Cajon High School staff Leticia Hernadez has her photo taken with Jayden Daniels cut outs during an NFL Draft watch party in San Bernardino on Thursday, April 25, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels poses with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being chosen by the Washington Commanders with the second overall pick during the first round of the NFL draft on Thursday night in Detroit. Daniels, who starred at Cajon High in San Bernardino, won the Heisman Trophy last season. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
From left Jim McGarry, Debbie McGarry, Pam Tetlock and CR Tetlock pose for photos with former Cajon High School football player Jayden Daniels cut outs during an NFL Draft watch party in San Bernardino on Thursday, April 25, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
CR Tetlock records former Cowboy and 2024 Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels during an NFL Draft watch party at the school in San Bernardino on Thursday, April 25, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Washington Commanders fan and class of 1999 Cajon High School alum, Armando Esquivel cheers as 2024 Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels is drafted to his team during a watch party at the school in San Bernardino on Thursday, April 25, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Cajon High School staff member Leticia Hernadez laughs after posing for photo with Jayden Daniels cut outs during an NFL Draft watch party in San Bernardino on Thursday, April 25, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
MaryRone Goodwin, right watches former Cowboy and 2024 Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels during an NFL Draft watch party at the school in San Bernardino on Thursday, April 25, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Former Cowboy and 2024 Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels speaks on tv after being drafted second over all in the 2024 NFL Draft during a watch party at the school in San Bernardino on Thursday, April 25, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
“It’s been a blessing,” Daniels said of the draft, and pledged to give his all to his new team.
“Just believe in me,” Daniels said. “It’s gonna be a grind. I’m a hard worker. I can’t wait.”
Hailed a “hometown hero” by many at the gathering in San Bernardino, Daniels in his last year with LSU impressed with 3,812 yards passing and 1,134 yards rushing and 50 total touchdowns in 12 games, earning him college football’s most prestigious player of the year award.
“The Commanders just got a lot of fans. We couldn’t be happier,” Richard “Rich” Imbriani, Cajon’s athletic director, said moments after the draft Thursday.
“The kids have been waiting for this,” Imbriani added. “Jayden comes back and talks to the kids and visits. He is tremendous.”
Thursday’s celebration at Cajon followed a parade in Daniels’ honor in January, a month after he was announced as the .
Chris Jackson, Cajon principal, said Daniels is a true role model for his fellow Cowboys.
“There’s not many Heisman Trophies in the country, so to have one homegrown in San Bernardino, it’s something that shows our kids anything is possible, it doesn’t matter where you come from,” Jackson said.
Daniels had been the favorite as the No. 2 pick behind USC’s Caleb Williams, claimed by the Chicago Bears as the first pick in the first round of the draft Thursday.
Staff writer Madison Hart contributed to this report.
