Where Did Daniel Jones Go to College?
Daniel Jones is an American football quarterback who currently plays for the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Duke University and was selected by the Giants 6th overall in the 2019 NFL Draft.
In this comprehensive article, we will explore Daniel Jones’ college background and football career at Duke University in detail.
Daniel Jones’ High School Football Career
Daniel Jones attended Charlotte Latin School in Charlotte, North Carolina. He was a standout dual-threat quarterback for the Charlotte Latin Hawks. Some key highlights of Jones’ high school football career include:
- He passed for 6,997 yards and rushed for 1,781 yards over his high school career.
- Jones led the Hawks to back-to-back state championship game appearances in 2013 and 2014.
- He was named the 2014 Charlotte Observer Player of the Year.
- Jones earned All-State honors in football and was also a standout basketball player at Charlotte Latin.
- He participated in the Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio in January 2015.
- Jones was rated as a 4-star recruit by Rivals.com and was ranked among the top high school quarterbacks in the nation.
After an incredibly successful high school career, Jones committed to play college football at Duke University under head coach David Cutcliffe.
Why Daniel Jones Chose Duke
There were a few key factors that went into Daniel Jones’ decision to attend Duke University:
- Opportunity to play early: Duke’s starting QB was graduating, and Jones saw the potential to compete for the starting job as a true freshman.
- David Cutcliffe’s coaching reputation: Coach Cutcliffe had mentored Peyton and Eli Manning in college and Jones wanted to learn from him.
- Prestigious academics: Duke is one of the top academic institutions in the nation which appealed to Jones.
- Close to home: Duke allowed Jones to stay relatively close to his hometown of Charlotte, NC.
Daniel Jones’ College Football Career at Duke
Daniel Jones played for the Duke Blue Devils from 2016 to 2018 and had an extremely successful college career. Here are some of the highlights:
Freshman Season (2016)
- As a true freshman, Jones won the starting QB job and went on to start all 12 games.
- He finished the season with 2,836 passing yards, 16 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions. Jones also added 486 rushing yards and 7 rushing touchdowns.
- He set several Duke freshman records including most passing yards, most total offensive yards, most completions, and most games started.
- Jones was named the ACC Rookie of the Year and was an Honorable Mention All-ACC selection.
- Duke finished the season 4-8 overall and 1-7 in ACC play.
Sophomore Season (2017)
- Jones continued his development, starting 13 games and throwing for 2,691 yards, 14 TDs and 11 INTs.
- He led Duke to their first-ever 4-game win streak to end the regular season.
- Jones finished with 518 rushing yards and 7 rushing TDs.
- He led Duke to a 7-6 record and their first ever bowl game appearance since 1994.
- Duke lost to Northern Illinois 36-14 in the Quick Lane Bowl, but reaching a bowl game was a major accomplishment for the program.
Junior Season (2018)
- In his final collegiate season, Jones had his best overall year at Duke.
- He passed for 2,674 yards, 22 TDs, and just 9 INTs while completing nearly 60% of his passes.
- Jones added 319 rushing yards and 3 TDs on the ground.
- He led Duke to an 8-5 record and an appearance in the Walk-On’s Independence Bowl.
- Jones threw for 423 yards and 5 TDs in a 56-27 win over Temple in the Independence Bowl. He was named the bowl MVP.
- Jones earned various All-ACC honors and was a finalist for the Maxwell Award and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.
Daniel Jones’ College Accomplishments and Stats
In summary, here is an overview of Daniel Jones’ stats and accomplishments over his 3-year college career at Duke:
- 8,201 passing yards and 52 passing touchdowns
- 1,323 rushing yards and 17 rushing touchdowns
- 3 Bowl game appearances with a record of 1-2
- ACC Rookie of the Year (2016)
- Independence Bowl MVP (2018)
- Set numerous Duke freshman and career passing records
Although he played for a relatively less competitive Duke program, Jones made the most of his opportunities. His college career showcased his abilities and athleticism, paving the way for him to ultimately be a top 10 NFL draft pick.
Scouting Report on Daniel Jones Entering NFL Draft
Based on his college career, here is quick look at Daniel Jones as an NFL prospect:
Strengths
- Prototypical size and arm strength
- Athleticism and ability to throw on the run
- Accuracy on short and intermediate routes
- Good decision making and ability to read defenses
- Experience playing under center and in pro-style offense
Weaknesses
- Inconsistent accuracy on deep balls
- Can improve pocket awareness and feel for pressure
- Played weaker competition level in ACC
- Needs to improve timing and anticipation on throws
Why Daniel Jones Was Drafted 6th Overall by Giants
The New York Giants drafted Daniel Jones 6th overall in 2019, higher than many draft experts predicted. Here’s why the Giants felt Jones was worth the high pick:
- Strong arm: Jones can make every NFL throw with zip and accuracy
- Poise under pressure: Displayed composure in the pocket even when protection broke down
- Leadership: Mature leader who commands the huddle and plays with confidence
- High football IQ: Ability to read defenses and process information quickly
- Upside: Jones was viewed as an ascending talent who would keep developing with NFL coaching
- Good fit: Seeing similarities between Jones and Eli Manning, both being more athletic than generally perceived
The Giants saw franchise QB potential in Jones and believed he could be Eli Manning’s eventual successor. While some considered the 6th pick a reach, the Giants were sold on Jones’ long-term ability.
Daniel Jones’ NFL Career Thus Far
Daniel Jones entered the NFL with high expectations as a top 10 draft pick. Here is a quick recap of his NFL career so far:
Rookie Season (2019)
- Backed up Eli Manning to start the season before taking over as starter in Week 3.
- Started 12 games, going 3-9 as a starter and finishing with 3,027 passing yards, 24 TDs, and 12 INTs.
- Also added 279 rushing yards and 2 rushing TDs.
- Set rookie franchise records for TD passes and passing yards in 12 starts.
- Showed flashes but also battled turnover issues and dealing with growing pains on a bad Giants team.
Second Season (2020)
- Opened season as the Giants’ unquestioned starting QB.
- Started 14 games, leading the Giants to a 6-10 record.
- Threw for 2,943 yards, 11 TDs and 10 INTs in a conservative offense.
- Rushed for 423 yards.
- Showed improvement in ball security and leadership ability.
Third Season (2021)
- Started 11 games before suffering neck injury which ended his season.
- Giants struggled to a 4-7 record in his starts.
- Threw for 2,428 yards, 10 TDs and 7 INTs before the injury.
- Continued to showcase athleticism with 298 rushing yards.
- Hoping to bounce back from injury-riddled year in 2022.
While Jones has flashed potential, he has yet to firmly establish himself as the Giants’ long-term answer at quarterback. His biggest challenges have been consistency, injuries, and lack of talent around him. The 2022 season could go a long way in determining Jones’ future trajectory.
Outlook on Daniel Jones’ NFL Future
As Daniel Jones enters his fourth NFL season, what is the outlook on the rest of his pro career? Here are some projections:
- With improved offensive weapons, Jones has the chance to take a step forward in 2022. He will need to improve his accuracy, decision making, and ball security.
- Staying healthy for 17 games would allow Jones to get fully comfortable as the leader of the Giants’ offense.
- Jones likely has two more seasons to show enough progress to convince the Giants he can be their quarterback of the future. If he stagnates, the team may look elsewhere.
- With his athleticism, Jones can continue to make plays with his legs. But he will need to become more consistent and prolific as a passer to reach his ceiling.
- Playing in a major market like New York, Jones faces heavy scrutiny. He must demonstrate mental toughness and leadership ability.
- If he can put everything together, Jones has the raw tools to be an above-average NFL starter capable of taking the Giants back to the playoffs. But it’s still an unfinished picture.
- Odds are Jones gets 2022 and 2023 to cement himself as the answer at QB. Beyond that, the future becomes murky if he has not progressed enough by then.
The book is still out on Daniel Jones’ career projection. But the upcoming season will go a long way in writing the next critical chapter of his story.
Tables Comparing Jones’ College Stats
| Daniel Jones – Freshman Season (2016) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Completions | 270 | |
| Passing Yards | 2,836 | |
| Passing TDs | 16 | |
| Interceptions | 9 | |
| Passer Rating | 130.8 | |
| Rushing Yards | 486 | |
| Rushing TDs | 7 |
| Daniel Jones – Sophomore Season (2017) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Completions | 230 | |
| Passing Yards | 2,691 | |
| Passing TDs | 14 | |
| Interceptions | 11 | |
| Passer Rating | 115.5 | |
| Rushing Yards | 518 | |
| Rushing TDs | 7 |
| Daniel Jones – Junior Season (2018) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Completions | 237 | |
| Passing Yards | 2,674 | |
| Passing TDs | 22 | |
| Interceptions | 9 | |
| Passer Rating | 131.5 | |
| Rushing Yards | 319 | |
| Rushing TDs | 3 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Daniel Jones and Duke University
Here are some common questions and answers about Daniel Jones’ college background:
What year did Daniel Jones graduate from Duke?
Daniel Jones graduated from Duke University in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in economics. He entered the NFL draft after his redshirt junior season.
What was Daniel Jones’ major at Duke?
Jones majored in economics during his time at Duke. The academic rigor of Duke appealed to him during his recruiting process.
What was Daniel Jones’ record as Duke’s starting QB?
As a three-year starter at Duke, Daniel Jones compiled an overall record of 19-19. The team went 4-8 his freshman year, 7-6 his sophomore season, and 8-5 his final year.
Did Daniel Jones go to Duke for academics or football?
Academics were one of the main factors that attracted Jones to Duke. However, he was also excited by the opportunity to compete early for Duke’s starting quarterback job under esteemed coach David Cutcliffe. Both football and academics played a role in his decision.
How good was Daniel Jones at Duke?
Daniel Jones was one of the best quarterbacks ever at Duke. He set numerous program passing records and led the team to two bowl appearances. Jones earned All-ACC honors and was named ACC Rookie of the Year in 2016 and Independence Bowl MVP in 2018. By all accounts, he had an excellent college career.
Conclusion
In summary, Daniel Jones attended Duke University from 2016 to 2018 and had a highly accomplished college football career. He became Duke’s starting quarterback as a redshirt freshman and went on to set many program passing records while leading the Blue Devils to newfound success.
Jones was drafted 6th overall by the New York Giants in 2019 and is currently aiming to establish himself as their long-term franchise quarterback. While flashes of potential have been shown, the upcoming years will be pivotal in determining if Jones solidifies himself as an above-average NFL starter capable of returning the Giants to contention.
Key Takeaways from Daniel Jones’ College Career
- Starred as 3-year starting QB at Duke from 2016-2018
- Set numerous Duke passing records
- Led team to two bowl appearances
- Named ACC Rookie of the Year (2016)
- Independence Bowl MVP (2018)
- Threw for over 8,200 yards and 52 TDs in college
- Added over 1,300 rushing yards and 17 rushing TDs
- Played in pro-style offense under Coach David Cutcliffe
- Had all the tools to be an NFL QB but faced questions about level of competition
Keeps growing 💗✨