Miami Hurricanes WR CJ Daniels earns classic honor from ESPN

Miami wide receiver CJ Daniels added a signature moment to the Hurricanes’ Week 1 win — and to the early-season highlight reel — with a one-handed touchdown that earned the No. 1 spot on SportsCenter’s Top 10. The grab punctuated Miami’s 27–24 "upset" of No. 6 Notre Dame and has created a ton of buzz around the rebuilt receiver room.

The play happened with 12 seconds left in the first half as Carson Beck rifled a throw toward the goal line under pressure (probably shouldn't have thrown the pass but it all worked out in the end). Daniels elevated and snatched the ball with his right hand over tight coverage, tumbling into the end zone to push Miami ahead 14–7. Officials reviewed and confirmed the score. Within seconds the clip was all over social media.

Daniels finished with 5 receptions for 46 yards and a touchdown (long 20), complementing freshman Malachi Toney’s breakout line (6 for 82 and a TD) as Miami’s pass game was reliable when called on. Beck’s debut remained clean as he went 20-of-31 for 205 yards with 2 TD to 0 INT and an 84.9 QBR. On the margins, Miami controlled the script with 33:57 time of possession and +2 turnover differential. Carter Davis’ 47-yard field goal with 1:04 left provided the winning points.

CJ Daniels Career

• 2020 — Liberty (Fr.): Appeared in 11 games (2 starts). Logged 11 receptions, 220 yards, 3 TD. Career-best 96 yards and 2 TD vs. Western Carolina.
• 2021 — Liberty (R-Fr.): Played all 13 games (6 starts). Recorded 37 receptions, 629 yards, 7 TD. Two 100-yard games (130 yards vs. North Texas and 118 yards vs. Army).
• 2022 — Liberty (So.): Injury-limited season; logged 3 receptions for 38 yards and a TD.
• 2023 — Liberty (Jr.): 55 receptions, 1,067 yards, 10 TD (19.4 YPR). Second-team All-Conference USA. Five 100-yard games, including 157 vs. Sam Houston and 157 vs. New Mexico State (C-USA title game); 8 for 79 vs. Oregon in the Fiesta Bowl. Team leader in receiving yards.
• 2024 — LSU (Sr.): Transferred in spring; 11 games (10 starts), 42 receptions, 480 yards. Missed one game with a foot issue; season-best 7 for 86 at Arkansas.