The retention of Dallas’ top football players in Dallas has contributed to SMU’s ascent in the collegiate football rankings. Roderick Daniels Jr., a former Duncanville standout, discussed his turbulent path to SMU as the team gets ready to play its first-ever College Football Playoff game against Penn State.
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SMU plays in its first-ever College Football Playoff game on Saturday.
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Roderick Daniels Jr., a top receiver for SMU this season, is part of the team’s recent push for homegrown talent.
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The former Duncanville star says loyalty has him where he is today.
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SMU plays in its first-ever College Football Playoff game on Saturday.
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Roderick Daniels Jr., a top receiver for SMU this season, is part of the team’s recent push for homegrown talent.
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The former Duncanville star says loyalty has him where he is today.
DallasThe SMU Mustangs will participate in their first-ever College Football Playoff game on Saturday.
Retaining Dallas’ top football players in Dallas has been a major goal of SMU’s football program in recent years.
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SMU vs. Penn State: Predictions, how to watch, storylines
On Saturday, SMU (11-2) and Penn State (11-2) will play each other in the College Football Playoffs’ opening round.
Players from a number of nearby schools can be found on the Mustangs roster, including Roderick Daniels Jr., a former Duncanville Panther.
Even after going through some of the most trying times in his life in Dallas, Daniels Jr. made the decision to remain faithful to his hometown.
“It can’t be dark forever, there has to be some light somewhere,” stated Daniels.
Although Daniels Jr.’s own tale is inked all over his body, the wide receiver assisted SMU in planning its journey to this year’s College Football Playoff.
For Roderick, those three letters stand for more than just football, even though Daniels received an NFL tattoo during his sophomore year. They also act as the slogan of the family.
When he said, “Never forget loyalty,”
Daniels has remained devoted to his family and football.
When the father wasn’t there for him, he wouldn’t leave him.
“He was in and out of jail,” explained Daniels.
Daniels Jr. proudly wears his father’s name into the College Football Playoff, and he has a tattoo of his face on the outside of his right forearm.
“It means a lot just to be able to live out that name,” Daniels stated.
Because she never left his side, his mother, Aisha Moore, has a tattoo on the inside of his right forearm.
Moore struggled to make ends meet as a single mother of five boys.
“Many items were lacking in various ways. Daniels remembered, “Even at times, like where we were staying or if we were able to cover some bills or lights or water.”
In order to relieve some of his mother’s stress, Daniels, the eldest son, took on the duty of ensuring his younger brothers were prepared for school.
Roderick found optimism in football.
He played for a state championship while he was a student at Duncanville High School. Daniels Jr. decided to play for SMU and then head coach Sonny Dykes in spite of offers from other institutions.
A year later, Rhett Lashlee took Dykes’ place as head coach after he left for TCU.
In Lashlee’s SMU offense, Daniels was struggling three games into the 2022 campaign. Daniels lost his father around the period.
STANFORD, CA – OCTOBER 19: On October 19, 2024, Roderick Daniels Jr. #13 of the Southern Methodist Mustangs watches the third quarter of the game versus the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium in Stanford, California. (Image courtesy of Thearon W. Hende)
“It was only a strange mishap. Daniels Jr. remembered, “He died while he was asleep.”
The defeat was a tipping moment. After missing four games for SMU, Daniels left the team and considered transferring.
Daniels Jr. decided he had to return after recalling the family motto: never forget loyalty.
“I knew that’s exactly what my dad would probably do,” Daniels replied.
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – DECEMBER 07: On December 07, 2024, in Charlotte, North Carolina, Roderick Daniels Jr. #13 of the SMU Mustangs catches a touchdown during the fourth quarter of the 2024 ACC Football Championship at Bank of America Stadium. (Photo)
Roderick, who is currently in his fourth and last year of college eligibility, is on the verge of quitting Mustang football.
Daniels Jr. hopes that four more victories and a title celebration will mark the conclusion of his career at SMU. When he initially arrived on university, the idea sounded unfathomable.
“No one ever thought SMU would be playing in the College Football Playoffs,” he stated. “It demonstrates to many Dallas students that you don’t need to travel far to showcase your skills. Stay at home, spend time with your loved ones, and play football if you wish to remain in Dallas. At SMU, you very certainly can.”
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Roderick Daniels Jr.’s interview with Jeff Kolb provided the information for this story.
Roderick Daniels Jr.’s interview with Jeff Kolb provided the information for this story.
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