- The Washington Times - Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Washington Commanders coach Dan Quinn told the NFL Network last week that it would “be fair to envision we’d be taking a quarterback” with the second pick in the draft next month.

I think then it would be fair to envision that they would be considering Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels as that quarterback.

So it would be fair to say that the Commanders will be getting to know Jayden Daniels’ mother, Regina Jackson, who has a controversial track record of support for her talented son.

Daniels won the Heisman following his 2023 season at LSU, throwing for 3,812 passes and 40 touchdowns, plus another 10 touchdowns and 1,134 yards rushing. His pro workout day was Wednesday, and the prospect was set to meet afterward with six teams: the Vikings, Patriots, Giants, Broncos Raiders and Commanders.

Based on stories that came out of Arizona State, where Daniels first played before he transferred to LSU, Jackson is very much involved in her son’s business dealings.

At ASU, Jackson made news for her role in an NCAA investigation that would eventually end the circus-like tenure of former NFL safety and ESPN football analyst Herm Edwards.

A February 2022 Athletic story reported that, according to sources, “Jackson was given uncommon access to the program, particularly early in. Some staffers in the past jokingly referred to Jackson as a coach. The dynamic became an issue inside and outside the locker room. One former athletic department staff member said Jackson’s presence around the football facility was unlike anything he had seen in his career.”

According to a June 2021 report from Yahoo Sports about Arizona State recruiting violations during the COVID-19 period of prohibited in-person recruiting visits, screenshots of emails showed that Jackson allegedly helped book more than $1,100 in flights for recruits and the adults accompanying them on a recruiting trip to Florida, according to the documents sent to the NCAA enforcement department and Arizona State’s compliance office. 

Jackson denied the allegations to Yahoo Sports. She reportedly said the Google email address associated with the account that was purchasing the plane tickets had been compromised. She also said she canceled the charges after it was discovered she had been charged for the airfare.

Daniels was not implicated in any wrongdoing.

In the wake of the NCAA probe, offensive coordinator Zak Hill and defensive coordinator Antonio Pierce resigned, while wide receivers coach Prentice Gill and defensive backs coach Chris Hawkins were fired. Edwards was fired in September 2022. Daniels entered the transfer portal in February 2022.

After Daniels transferred to LSU, Jackson, according to azcentral.com, took some shots at ASU when she posted on social media, “We wish them well … we just had to let it go. They feel some type of way and I understand. I’m a businesswoman and I understand. However, LSU probably gained a lot of Arizona State fans because they just waited for him to fail and it’s OK.

“A quarterback has to have chemistry with their team,” she posted. “You see the best quarterbacks, Tom Brady is not good without chemistry with his receivers. He’s going to put the ball there, but if they are running the wrong routes and if they are doing stuff, what is he supposed to do? You know? And the line, he don’t want to run. He’s been behind a Pac-12 line that just collapsed, you know, they are good kids. Great kids and we love them all, but he’s not going to sit there and take 60 sacks, guys.”

There were no such stories that came out of LSU — mom did not have the same level of access there — but sources familiar with the program said Jackson was still deeply involved in her son’s business decisions and is considered an influential voice.

Jackson did not respond to requests for comments in texts and through her social media account. She is divorced from Daniels’ father Jay, who has also been a football adviser.

Washington football fans might be wary of influential parents, after the cautionary tale of Robert Griffin III and the influence his father had behind the scenes with then-owner Dan Snyder. 

That kind of drama is not expected under new owner Josh Harris and company. But who knows? I doubt Mike Shanahan thought he would ever be involved in such drama.

There also have been some concerns raised about the anticipated top pick in the draft, USC quarterback Caleb Williams, and the role of his father, Carl, who, according to various reports, plays a significant role in his son’s career decisions.

We may also be entering a new age of young athletes whose parents are very much part of the equation, even in their professional careers. Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson’s mother Felicia Jones manages his business career.

This may be where we are in the NFL in 2024: Keeping mom and pop happy.

• You can hear Thom Loverro on The Kevin Sheehan Show podcast.

• Thom Loverro can be reached at tloverro@washingtontimes.com.

Copyright © 2024 The Washington Times, LLC. Click here for reprint permission.

Please read our comment policy before commenting.

Click to Read More and View Comments

Click to Hide