![LSU Tigers wide receiver CJ Daniels (4) scores a touchdown but was called back due to a penalty during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, November 16, 2024. The Gators defeated the Tigers 27-16. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_2192,h_1233/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/200/01jqschk6vtwwwh3tt1e.jpg "LSU Tigers wide receiver CJ Daniels (4) scores a touchdown but was called back due to a penalty during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, November 16, 2024. The Gators defeated the Tigers 27-16. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]")
Miami wide receivers coach Kevin Bears discussed LSU transfer C.J. Daniels taking over the room as the oldest player on the Hurricanes' roster at the position on the 2025 roster. Speaking with reporters after practice on Tuesday, Beard stated Daniels has become a leader among the WRs since day one.
Daniels is entering his sixth collegiate season after previously spending four years at Liberty and last year at LSU. In 53 career games, Daniels has 148 receptions for 2,439 yards and 21 touchdowns. Daniels had 42 receptions for 480 yards without a TD for LSU in 2024.
Daniels was the fourth leading receiver for LSU in 2024. Miami gains a clutch and explosive receiver in 2025. Daniels had 24 receptions for first downs, 10 of 15 yards or more and three of 25 plus yards. Daniels had his best season in 2024 at Liberty with 55 receptions for 1,067 yards and 10 TDs.
Miami lost its top six receivers from the 2024 roster. Sophomore JoJo Trader leads the Miami returnees at WR with six receptions for 91 yards and a TD in 2024. Trader's classmates, Ny Carr and Chance Robinson, are competing for bigger roles this spring.
"Really good job in leadership...he's the...oldest guy in the room...they lean on him from that perspective and from day one he said...coach, can you make a group thread with just the players, not the coaches...They'll text, hey we going to watch film at 5:00...you'll notice a lot of guys in the building around that time...It's a constant mindset of how do we get better if we did (a) good job, how do I get better if we did bad."Miami wide receivers coach Kevin Beard
Beard also discussed junior RayRay Joseph, who is the projected starter in the slot for Miami in 2025. Joseph has 12 receptions for 110 yards, nine kickoff returns for 130 yards and 19 punt returns for 158 yards. Joseph has the huge task of replacing Miami's all-time leading receiver, Xavier Restrepo, in the slot.
Backed by Heisman Trophy finalist Cam Ward and his receiving corps, Miami was first nationally, averaging 43.9 points per game and 537.2 total yards per game while finishing third, averaging 348.2 passing yards per game. Miami will be led by Georgia transfer QB Carson Beck and Daniels in the passing game in 2025.
Daniels or Trader with tight end Elija Lofton project to be the top three receivers for Miami in 2025. When the spring transfer portal is open from April 16-25, Miami could target another experienced transfer WR to ad to the 2025 roster.