Daniel played college football for the Auburn Tigers of Auburn University. He punted 65 times for 2,771 yards and a 42.6 yard average in 1992, earning Associated Press (AP) second-team All-SEC honors.[1][2] He was named a consensus All-American in 1993 after punting 51 times for 2,392 yards and a 46.9 average.[1][3][4] Mississippi State Bulldogs coach Jackie Sherrill accused Daniel of filling footballs with helium in October 1993. He was cleared of any wrongdoing.[5][6] In 1994, Daniel recorded 53 punts for 2,358 yards and a 44.5 average, garnering AP first-team All-SEC recognition for the second consecutive season.[1][7][8]
Daniel went undrafted in the 1995 NFL draft.[9] Despite being a consensus All-American, Daniel was not even signed as an undrafted free agent by any NFL team, with Daniel stating "I don't know what to think about it. I heard San Francisco signed some punter I've never heard of. Jacksonville signed one, Miami signed one. I was like, "Who are these people?"[9] The Town Talk speculated that NFL teams may have been worried about a herniated disc in Daniel's back, although he did not miss any games at Auburn due to the injury.[9] Concerns may also have been raised about his weight, which was as high as 239 pounds, and a poor showing at the NFL Combine.[9]
