Quarterback JT Daniels Commits to Rice University

Quarterback JT Daniels (18) of the West Virginia Mountaineers passes the ball during the second half of the game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas, on Oct. 22, 2022. (John E. Moore III/Getty Images)

On Tuesday, Dec. 20, football quarterback JT Daniels committed to Rice University, according to a report from ESPN.

Daniels recently entered the NCAA transfer portal earlier this month. He was previously ranked as the number one overall recruit before playing for the University of Southern California Trojans in 2018 and 2019.

He became the second true freshman in USC school history to start a season opener but would tear several ligaments in his right knee ending his 2019 season.

Daniels transferred to Georgia for 2020–2021. Despite a 7–0 record as a starter, Daniels was inconsistent and was replaced by Stetson Bennett, who would lead the Bulldogs in winning the Championship last year.

JT Daniels (18) of the Georgia Bulldogs walks off the field after the game following Georgia defeat of Vanderbilt 62–0, at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville on Sept. 25, 2021. (Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)

Daniels made 10 starts at West Virginia this year for the Mountaineers, finishing with a 61.2 completion percentage for 2,107 yards, 13 touchdowns, and nine interceptions.

Garrett Greene would replace Daniels during the Nov. 12 game against Oklahoma, leading the Mountaineers to a 23–20 victory and finishing the season as the starter for the final two games.

In 31 games combined between the three programs played, Daniels has a 17–12 record as the starter—accumulating 6,947 total passing yards along with 45 touchdowns and 25 interceptions.

Born in Irvine, Calif., and playing at high school powerhouse Mater Dei, Daniels became a five-star recruit.

As a junior, he was named the Gatorade Football Player of the Year as well as Male Athlete of the Year, following a season where he passed 4,123 yards for 61 total touchdowns—52 passing and nine rushing en route to a 15–0 record—and winning the high school football national championship.

This year, Rice finished with a 5–8 record, losing to Southern Miss, 38–24, on Saturday at the LendingTree Bowl at Mobile, Al.