LSU transfer wide receiver C.J. Daniels is the "One transfer portal addition who could swing College Football Playoff hopes for every post-spring top 25 team" for Miami, as mentioned by Chris Hummer in his article for CBS Sports.
Daniels is a critical addition to the 2025 Miami roster after the Hurricanes lost their top six receivers from 2024. Daniels was one of four receivers on LSU with 40 receptions in 2024 and finished fourth on the Tigers in receptions and receiving yards.
Before LSU, Daniels was a star at Liberty with 106 receptions for 1,959 yards and 21 touchdowns in four seasons at Liberty. Daniels, Cincinnati transfer Tony Johnson and All-American kick returner Keelan Marion from BYU add significant experience to the Miami receiver corps in 2025.
At 6'2, Daniels provides Miami with a big target at WR with experience and a proven history of production. Daniels made an impact with LSU in 2024 but did not score a TD and was not the alpha WR. The experience with LSU should help Daniels in the modified Air Raid run by Miami offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson.
"(Expect) Daniels to emerge as a difference maker. But there are a lot of questions about him entering 2025. He missed most of the spring recovering from offseason foot surgery, and that's coming off a 2024 season...with 42 catches and 480 yards...Just two years ago Daniels was one of the best receivers in the country for Liberty (55 catches, 1,067 yards, 10 TDs). Miami needs that version of Daniels for Beck to thrive."Chris Hummer, CBS Sports
Miami had three receivers top 50 receptions in 2024 and five go over 500 yards. Daniels projects as the top receiver for Miami in 2025, but in the Dawson offense, the Hurricanes just need him to be productive. Tight end Elijah Lofton is the leading returning Miami receiver with nine receptions for 150 yards and one TD in 2024.
JoJo Trader leads the returning Miami WRs with six receptions for 91 yards and a TD. Trader is expected to be a significant part of the rotation for Miami at WR in 2025. Expect Daniels, Johnson, Marion and Trader to be the top four WRs for Miami in 2025.
Daniels was an interesting choice as the transfer who could swing the College Football Playoff hopes for Miami. Quarterback Carson Beck is the most obvious choice to impact Miami's CFP hopes. Five incoming transfers in the secondary will also have a major impact for Miami.