Jayden Daniels - San Bernardino Cajon High School superstar Jayden Daniels becomes the second player drafted. The 2024 Heisman Trophy winner was taken by the Washington Commanders.
Jayden Daniels - San Bernardino Cajon High School superstar Jayden Daniels becomes the second player drafted. The 2024 Heisman Trophy winner was taken by the Washington Commanders. (Photo: Todd Rosenberg, NFL)

Last Updated on May 17, 2024 by BVN

Overview: Former Cajon High School star Jayden Daniels, a quarterback from LSU, was selected as the second overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft by the Washington Commanders. Daniels, who won the Heisman Trophy last season, was the nation’s best collegiate player and is a proven leader who tends to make everyone around him better. The Los Angeles Chargers under new head coach Jim Harbaugh, took offensive tackle Joe Alt, while the Los Angeles Rams took edge rusher Jared Verse. The Rams built a 60-yard scale NFL turf field onto the sand at Hermosa Beach for fans and 2,000 local youth to experience football related activities.

Jon D. Gaede

Each year, the front office staffs from each of the current 32 NFL teams have a critical task to evaluate, select and hopefully infuse their rosters with the talent their team needs most. Teams are always looking for the best athlete, however, elite quarterbacks like this year’s number 1 drafted player, dynamic quarterback Caleb Williams (USC), was taken by the Chicago Bears.

Ten minutes later, Jayden Daniels (LSU), Cajon High School and 2024 Heisman awardee, as the nation’s best collegiate player, was taken by the Washington Commanders.

“Nothing is given to me, I’m coming in the to compete no matter where I was drafted to show up every day and go to work,”  said Jayden Daniels.

Daniels threw 40 touchdowns, gaining 14,000 total yards (running and passing) for the Cajon Cowboys in San Bernardino’s Citrus Belt League, and was clearly the best football player in America last season, earning the Heisman Trophy at LSU. The dynamic young man is a proven, born leader who tends to make everyone around him better.

Coach Jim Harbaugh has hit the ground running as he  re-tools the Charger roster through the  draft. ( Photo: Jon Gaede BVN)

After the first two picks, New England then took Drake Maye QB (North Carolina), followed by the first receiver, Marvin Harrison Jr. WR (Ohio State), who was taken by the Arizona Cardinals. 

The Los Angeles Chargers, under new head coach Jim Harbaugh, took offensive tackle, Joe Alt (Ohio State), to shore up and protect Justin Herbert. The Chargers added a variety of players to fill specific needs on the team, including Ladd McConkey WR (Georgia), Junior Colson LB (Michigan), Justin Eboigbe DL (Alabama), Tarheeb Still DB (Maryland) and Cam Hart DB (Notre Dame). 

The Los Angeles Rams took edge rusher Jared Verse (Florida State) in round one, Braden Fiske DT (Florida State), Blake Corum RB (Michigan), safety Kamren Kinchens (Miami), edge rusher Brennan Jackson (Washington State) and Tyler Davis DT (Clemson). 

The Raiders, who will occupy the Chargers former camp facility in Costa Mesa, chose Brock Bowers TE (Georgia), Jackson Powers-Johnson C (Oregon), Delmar Glaze OT (Maryland) and Decamerion Richardson CB (Mississippi State).

Chargers

The Los Angeles Chargers offense had to be re-tooled by incoming head coach Jim Harbaugh as key veteran players have moved on, including receiver Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Gerald Everett and two-dimensional running back Austin Eckeler who will join Jayden Daniels in Washington. The Chargers had a rolling “Draft Day” celebration, stretching over several counties covering several restaurants, pubs and Top Golf (Hermosa Beach) to create an experience for their fans to meet players on draft night.

Rams

Rams “Play60” turf field built on the sand at Hermosa Beach for fans and 2,000 local students for football related activities. (Photo: Jon Gaede BVN)
D’Marco Farr, former Rams lineman, serves as MC on stage at Hermosa Beach announcing their draft picks. (Photo: Jon Gaede BVN)

The Los Angeles Rams built a 60-yard scale NFL turf field onto the sand at Hermosa Beach for fans and 2,000 local youth to experience football related activities against a backdrop of the Pacific-Ocean. The 60-yard field related to promoting 60 minutes of physical activity per day. Reporter and former Ram lineman D’Marco Farr served as MC on stage as each draft pick was announced. The Rams desperately needing to replace the 45 pressures from retiring future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald, hope that Jared Verse can fill those shoes.

While on assignment for GamePro Magazine in 1996, Jon Gaede met former Black Voice Sports Editor, Leland Stein at a Los Angeles Lakers’ game. They formed a working relationship which has endured for 24 years. In addition to African safaris, theater productions, Footsteps to Freedom Tours with Black Voice News Publisher Emeritus Cheryl Brown, concerts and portraits, Jon’s true passion comes from shooting action sports images. Jon has covered a variety of prep, collegiate and professional sports from track & field to boxing, including six Olympic Games.