Pewter Report’s Camp Diary series is back for the Bucs’ 2026 training camp in a new format with video interviews in addition to partial transcriptions.
This year’s Pewter Report Camp Diary participants are undrafted free agent quarterback Jalon Daniels, who will represent Tampa Bay’s offense and the rookie class, as well as outside linebacker David Walker, who represents the veterans and the defensive side of the ball.
QB Jalon Daniels played in 49 games over six years at the University of Kansas where he completed 61.5% of his passes for 9,282 yards with 67 touchdowns and 31 interceptions. His best season came last year when he passed for a career-high 22 touchdowns with just seven interceptions in addition to rushing for over 400 yards and four touchdowns.
The Bucs love his charisma, energy and leadership ability as much as his strong arm and mobility outside of the pocket. He was a priority free agent signing after the draft after making an incredible first impression when he visited Tampa Bay on an official 30 visit in April.
Jalon Daniels Camp Diary: Bringing Positive Energy To The Bucs
The following is an excerpt from Scott Reynolds’ exclusive pre-training camp interview with QB Jalon Daniels. For the rest of the interview, including his favorite Bucs receivers to throw to, the toughest Tampa Bay defender to throw against and his message to Buccaneers fans – watch the entire Jalon Daniels Camp Diary episode by clicking here.
Scott Reynolds: How have you adjusted to early life in the NFL as you are getting ready to start your first training camp?
Jalon Daniels: “I mean honestly, it’s been great. You know everything you asked for as a kid growing up, you know being able to play at this level, is definitely a dream come true. Getting a chance to be able to learn from all the coaches that have continued to pour into me since day one, since I’ve literally touched foot in Tampa Bay – all the way from Coach [Todd] Bowles to Coach Chandler [Whitmer] to Coach TJ [Yates] to Coach Z-Rob (Zac Robinson). And then all the way to the quarterback room – you know, just welcoming me in with open arms.
“You know, whenever I have a question, I don’t hesitate to ask, and they’ll definitely help me out. They have kind of been helping me learn the ropes of being able to get acclimated of being able to play in the NFL so far.”
Bucs QBs coach Chandler Whitmer, QB Jalon Daniels and OC Zac Robinson – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
Scott Reynolds: “The early buzz on you from the Bucs scouts, personnel and coaches I’ve spoken with is your energy that you bring to the team. You’re already bringing it to this this Camp Diary series here. This is just kind of like your personality, right? It’s just your effervescence and your charisma. That’s one of your strengths, is it not? The ability to get others to follow you.”
Jalon Daniels: “I mean 1000% – Like this is who I am. I mean I think that being a part of not only an NFL organization, but just being able to say that I’m playing with guys that I’ve gotten a chance to be able to watch growing up, playing at this level is literally a dream come true. So every single day that I wake up to be able to put on that Buccaneers logo, I go out there and do it with a smile. I do it 100% because I know that if I told my 17-year old self right now that we’ll be playing on the Buccaneers right now, I’m sure he’ll be smiling ear to ear like I am.
“So, I go out there every single day, give it give it 110% because you know it’s not promised to be able to be here. So, I don’t take any of this for granted. I don’t take it lightly. And at the end of the day, every day, I want to be able to not only be able to help myself grow but also help the ones around me grow. And when you’re bringing that positive energy every single day, it makes guys want to be able to go harder and harder every single day.”
Scott Reynolds: “You’ve got a very similar body type to Baker Mayfield. How does that help you in terms of being able to watch him and see him operate, and have to navigate – you know, having a live arm, being able to scramble? You both have that trait. Then at the same time, you’re not 6-foot-6, but having a guy like Baker that has to really navigate those throwing lanes when the offensive line presents them. Could you have asked for a better situation to come to Tampa Bay and work with Baker Mayfield? And what type of advice has he been able to give you so far?”
Jalon Daniels: “I’m absolutely blessed to be in this position. Like I continue to say, Baker has been nothing short of amazing when it’s come to being able to help me in a lot of different areas. Like I told you, the quarterback room – they’ve welcomed me with open arms. And when I say that I mean that truly because you know I’m able to ask those questions I’m able to see Baker go out there and be able to operate an offense. I’m able to see him put it in a very tight window and I’m saying, ‘Okay – so this is that window that you have to be able to make it in the NFL.’
Bucs QBs Jalon Daniels and Baker Mayfield – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
“And to be able to see him make a lot of different plays in a lot of different situations in a lot of different scenarios – and obviously, he’s going on a year nine, so he’s definitely a vet. He’s somebody who has played the game for quite some time in the NFL, so he’s definitely seen a lot of things that are going on. And if there’s something that I have a question on, especially defensively, he’s usually able to break that down. If it’s not hitting this way, he’s able to be able to tell me in a different way to make sure that I’m able to understand it. So, to be able to see Baker operate, it’s been crazy because I’ve been watching some of his throws and I’m saying, ‘Alright, bet. So this is that level that you’ve got to be able to get to.’”
Scott Reynolds: “When you look at quarterbacks that you’re modeling your game after and you’re watching film of NFL guys, who are those guys that you that you feel like your skill set kind of resembles? And maybe that you like to mimic and steal some some tips and tricks from?”
Jalon Daniels: “Outside of Baker obviously, because I’ve definitely been watching a lot of film on the Bucs the past few years, being able to see how he goes and how he operates about the game. I would say like in college [at KU] I watched obviously Patrick Mahomes down the street [in Kansas City]. Getting a chance to be able to see him win Super Bowls while I was at Kansas. Jalen Hurts, being able to see his journey and how he goes about things. For me, I’m an L.A. guy, so Bryce Young was in my class. I got to see Bryce Young since I was a freshman in high school, so being able to see his development and see where he’s gotten to today.
Scott Reynolds: “You’ll see him twice a year now, too.”
Jalon Daniels: “Trust me, I’m already knowing! I’m already knowing! Jayden Daniels he’s another L.A. guy. Caleb Williams, I got the chance to be able to go against him in college and be able to see the miraculous plays that he made in college, and also to continue to move that on – not only to SC – but also be able to move that on to the NFL. Aaron Rodgers was a quarterback that I grew up watching the most since I first started playing football. My very first Pop Warner team that I played for was called the Packers. My favorite colors were green and yellow, so I watched Aaron Rodgers.
“I used to have an Aaron Rodgers Fathead on my wall. Just to be like literally watching a whole bunch of Aaron Rodgers. I’ll never forget when I was in third grade when they won the Super Bowl. Like out of a class of 25, three of us voted that the Packers would win and the rest of the class voted that the Steelers would win. Aaron Rodgers, that quarterback guy over there.”
Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers – Photo by: USA Today
Scott Reynolds: The Bucs play the Steelers this year too, so you’ll have a chance to meet him.
Jalon Daniels: “Trust me, I’m already knowing! I peeped the schedule! I’m already knowing! And to top the end of that off, just being able to say Tom Brady. Tom Brady – he’s been someone who you’re able to see how he goes about the game. Not just about how he goes about the game on the field, but how he does everything off the field. How he prepares. His process. Process is everything.
“The fact that I’m at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers where he won his last Super Bowl, there are people in this building who were here when Tom Brady was here, so I ask those questions. How did he go about his day to day? How was his process? How did he talk to everybody? I think that the way that you’re communicating with everybody, not just your teammates – staff, people that are within the building like that – that goes a long way. And I think when you’re able to do that, it allows you to be able to go out there and play more confidently.”
Watch The Exclusive Jalon Daniels Camp Diary VIDEOS On PewterReportTV
Subscribe to the PewterReportTV YouTube channel where you’ll find all of the Jalon Daniels Camp Diary video episodes, as well as Scott Reynolds’ Pewter Pulse videos, and the Pewter Report Podcasts, which go live each day at 4:00 p.m. ET when there is a Buccaneers training camp practice.
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