Former WVU QB JT Daniels to End Playing Career, Plans to Enter Coaching

Former Mountaineer JT Daniels has been advised by his doctors to end his playing career, but that doesn’t mean his football journey is over. Daniels will be retiring as a player, sources tell ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

The Rice quarterback explained to Thamel that his retirement is stemming from the multiple concussions he has suffered over the years. Daniels’ most recent concussion came this past season against SMU.

It always sucks when injuries dictate the end of an athlete's playing career, especially in college. But with that said, I often thought JT Daniels would make a great coach while covering him during his season at WVU. He's one of the smartest athletes I've ever been around. https://t.co/Csno2wkx0C

— Mike J. Asti (@MikeAsti11) December 1, 2023

Now that his playing career is over, Daniels plans to enter the coaching space. “I’m definitely excited to get into coaching, that’s for sure. I loved playing. I always knew one day I’d coach. I didn’t think it would come this soon. But one day, I knew that’s what I was going to be doing,” Daniels expressed to Thamel.

WVU center Zach Frazier once called Daniels the smartest quarterback he’s ever been around.

West Virginia Center Zach Frazier: ‘JT Daniels is Probably the Smartest QB I’ve Ever Been Around’

He threw for 2,443 yards and recorded 21 touchdowns with seven interceptions throughout the 2023 season at Rice. The Irvine, California native spent the 2022 season with West Virginia, passing for 2,107 yards with 13 touchdowns and nine interceptions before eventually losing his starting job to Garrett Greene.

Daniels also experienced two seasons each at Georgia and USC in a college career that began in 2018.

For a related story, Daniels spoke highly of his year in Morgantown soon after transferring from WVU to Rice.

JT Daniels Reflects Back Fondly on His Time in West Virginia