Kendall Daniels Jr. is an exceptional talent with a distinctive skill set. His versatility on the field has drawn the attention of college coaches, but it was his strong connection with the South Carolina coaching staff that played a crucial role in his decision.
Daniels, who stars as a quarterback for Norfolk (Va.) Maury, has committed to the Gamecocks, where he will transition to playing safety. Standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing 190 pounds, Daniels is a key player in Maury’s defense, frequently taking on multiple roles. He’s known for his ability to blitz from the edge, drop back into coverage, and match up against tight ends using his size and athleticism.
“I feel very comfortable with the players and coaches at South Carolina,” Daniels shared. “I’m confident in betting on myself because I believe I have the tools, mindset, and right coaching to succeed, both from my current high school coaches and the ones at South Carolina.”
When discussing his commitment, Daniels emphasized the importance of the culture and camaraderie within the South Carolina program. “I love how the coaches and players are united, both on and off the field,” he said.
Daniels considered several other schools, including Penn State, Virginia Tech, and Duke, with Clemson also becoming a strong contender after a visit and offer. Ultimately, South Carolina edged out Virginia Tech in the final decision.
As a recruit, Daniels is highly regarded, holding a 247Sports grade of 90, which ranks him as the No. 10 player in Virginia and the No. 25 safety in the nation. The 247Sports Composite places him at No. 363 in the class of 2025 and the No. 32 safety.
Daniels fits well into South Carolina’s recruitment strategy, especially in Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia, areas heavily targeted by coach Shane Beamer. The Gamecocks now have the No. 30 recruiting class in the nation and the No. 12 class in the SEC, with Daniels being the fifth four-star prospect among their 19 commits. He joins Demarcus Leach as the safeties committed to the Gamecocks.
According to 247Sports scouting analyst Gabe Brooks, Daniels brings a versatile presence to the defense. “He’s a tall, big-framed player with experience as a deep safety and on the edge. He’s a tone-setting hitter and a valuable special teams player with the ability to disrupt passing lanes. While there’s room to refine his technique, Daniels has the athleticism and ball skills to make a significant impact as a modern hybrid safety/linebacker at the collegiate level.”
