An HBCU national champion safety who tested as an elite athlete before signing with Washington as an undrafted free agent.
Robert McDaniel is a safety who overcame a winding college path, four schools across two stints, to become one of the more buzzed-about defensive back prospects out of the HBCU ranks in the 2025 draft cycle. He now looks to translate that athleticism into a role in Washington's secondary.
Path to the league
McDaniel began his career at Jackson State, transferred to Mississippi Gulf Coast and then Alcorn State, before returning to Jackson State, where he helped the Tigers win an HBCU national championship. He went unselected in the 2025 NFL Draft and signed with Washington as an undrafted free agent on April 26, 2025.
Career highlights
In his final season at Jackson State, McDaniel posted 55 tackles, including 10 for a loss, along with 4.5 sacks, three interceptions and two forced fumbles, showcasing rare versatility for a defensive back. At his pro day he ran a 4.55-second 40-yard dash, posted a 39.5-inch vertical leap and a 10-foot-11 broad jump, numbers that drew attention from multiple NFL teams.
2025 season recap
McDaniel spent his rookie season with Washington after signing as an undrafted free agent, working to develop his game at the professional level following his standout, production-heavy senior year at Jackson State.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Robert Jackson (safety)
- Jackson State Athletics: Robert McDaniel
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Safety
- Group
- defense
- College
- Jackson State
- Hometown
- Jackson, MS, USA
- Age
- 25
- Status
- active
