‘Pro poker player’ – How Jayden Daniels’ mom helped guide him past NIL dangers into NFL playoffs

Jayden Daniels has looked like he belonged in the NFL from the very first moment he stepped into the Washington Commanders’ facility.

The second overall pick quickly earned a reputation for turning up early to practice, dedication, and impressive leadership.

Daniels is preparing for his playoff debut on SNFCredit: GettyHis form on the field matched the hype and he looks to have Offensive Rookie of the Year sewn up as he prepares to take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the wild-card round on Sunday Night Football.

Daniels deserves credit for the way he has adapted to life after college and for avoiding distraction as one of the first batch of athletes allowed to cash in on their name, image, and likeness.

But the 24-year-old has not done it all alone – his mom has been right there alongside him throughout his time as a high school standout, LSU star, and now NFL All-Pro.

On the first episode of Amazon docu-series ‘The Money Game: LSU,’ Daniels makes a shoutout to his mom and ‘No.1 fan’ Regina Jackson.

MORE ON NFLThe show documents how the rising stars of the college world, including the Washington quarterback and gymnastics sensation Livvy Dunne, adapted in the wake of the floodgates opening up when they were able to sign lucrative NIL deals.

Daniels’ mom features regularly and the guiding influence she had over his career is clear to see.

“I’ve always taught Jayden, what you want in life, you have to speak it,” she says. “He’s like, ‘Mom I want to play in the NFL.’

“He’s said it since he was young. And I’m always gonna support him.”

Daniels transferred from Arizona State to the Tigers and soon made a name for himself with an incredible performance to inspire a comeback win over perennial powerhouse Alabama. It put him on the map.

“When we got to LSU in 2022, they didn’t really offer NIL to anybody on the quarterback side ‘cos they didn’t know who the quarterback was,” Jackson revealed.

Jackson is a force to be reckoned with in negotatiationsCredit: Getty

Daniels thrived at LSU after refusing to be sidetracked by NILCredit: Getty”When they came to me was after Alabama, then we had Powerade, we had Beats, it was really the preseason in 2023 when NIL started really coming at him. We started to decline stuff.”

The first man to sign Daniels to an NIL deal following his breakout against the Crimson Tide was Louisiana lawyer and LSU booster Gordon McKernan.

He tried to land him again the following season, and found out just how tough the signal-caller’s mom was.

“Regina, she’s a pro poker player, when I went to re-sign him for senior year she said, ‘My son’s gonna do some special things this year.’ She saw it,” he revealed.

“I said, ‘I understand that but I have a budget.’ She’s a tough negotiator, we weren’t able to sign him.

“I feel sorry for the pro team that drafts him, they gotta deal with her on the other side of the table. He’s gonna get paid, lemme tell ya.”

It wasn’t just about money, players are brands these days and Jackson was savvy enough to realise this early on.

“I want my son to be branded a different way,” she told the Amazon cameras.

“He’s going to be the face of somebody’s franchise. He’s going to be the face of someone’s agency.

“I don’t want him to look like the old cookie cutter copy and paste method.”

Having a force of nature handle the business side of things allowed Daniels to focus on the game he loves.

The gifted prospect quickly racked up $700,000 in NIL earnings, but turned down opportunities that could have made much more.

Brian T. Smith reveals the secret weapon who developed Patrick Mahomes and Caleb Williams and is now fuelling Jayden Daniels and Washington Commanders in the shape of Kliff Kingsbury

“You can’t be wanting to be the best of yourself and focus on the money. You can’t.” Jackson said.

Her son was fully on board.

“I spend very minimal time doing NIL stuff,” he revealed. “I’m gonna take the deals I feel help me and my brand but it’s just like on the back burner.

“I’m trying to make the long money. I’m trying to make millions trying to see 30 Ms.

“The NIL money cool and everything but my focus is on the NFL.”

Mission accomplished. Daniels’ rookie contract is a fully-guaranteed, four-year deal worth $37.75million.

If the former Heisman Trophy winner keeps playing like he is, his next one will have an extra zero.

Daniels’ was represented by Agency 1 Sports during the Draft process as he required a licenced agent.

Daniels has turned around the Commanders franchiseJackson, who has an MBA in concentration entrepreneurship and a masters in public services, has since become a certified reprasentitive – one of around 50 women in 1,000 to hold the title.

“For her, taking the agent’s test is because she wants to be knowledgeable and helping her son and guiding him through his NFL career,” said Denise White, a publicist who works with Daniels and his family.

“It’s important for her to have all that knowledge so she can give her son guidance, which will help him focus on the field, and she can help focus off the field for him.”

His mom has also revealed her biggest fear for Daniels’ future.

“Girls, them girls,” she says on Amazon’s series. “Some girl out here, she’s got a Jayden Daniels wall and her momma’s saying, ‘Hey honey you’re the one who’s gonna get him.’

“And I know that sounds crazy but I guarantee there’s someone out there who’s trying to get their hooks into Jayden Daniels.

Read More on talkSPORT”So thank god he got a momma like me, cos it ain’t happening.”

It’s not just girls, but all of America who will be watching as Daniels goes toe-to-toe with Baker Mayfield’s Bucs in his postseason debut.

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