Azusa Pacific University Athletics

THIS YEAR:  The versatile Gavin McDaniel is an all-purpose player who will have the ball in his hands in a variety of ways as a kick returner, running back, and receiver … Quick, shifty, and smart runner … Noted for his toughness and courage … Will be a spark for the Cougar offense.

2017 (junior):  Transferred to Azusa Pacific and played in all 11 games, starting the first three … Finished third on the team in rushing with 234 yards on 51 carries (4.6 avg.) with a TD … Also had six receptions for 92 yards (15.3 avg.) … Returned a team-high 15 punts for 79 yards (5.3 avg.) … Also returned ten kickoffs for 230 yards (23.0 avg.) … Finished third on the team with 635 all-purpose yards (57.7 avg/game) … Rushed for a career-high 125 yards on just 17 carries, which included a team season-high 74-yard run, in a 1-point loss to Central Washington … Also had 54 yards on 16 carries with a TD in a season-opening win over West Texas A&M.

WASHINGTON:  Spent three seasons as a tailback at Pac-12 member Washington … Appeared in three games over two seasons, playing against Sacramento State, California, and Oregon State … Rushed the ball three times for 15 yards … Redshirted the 2014 campaign.

HIGH SCHOOL: Was a three-year starter at running back, slot receiver, and cornerback at Coppell (Texas) High, where he played for head coach Joe McBride ... As a 2013 senior, led Coppell to a 9-2 record and the second round of the Football Conference 5A D1 playoffs ... Earned Co-Offensive MVP of the 5-5A District as well as All-Class 5A Region 1 first team … Also earned academic all-state second-team honors ... As a 2012 junior named all-district first-team all-distrct, when he rushed for 952 yards ... Cowboys went 11-1, falling in the second round of the playoffs ... Played on the varsity as a freshman, when the Cowboys went 13-1, advancing to the state quarterfinals ... Also ran track, earning academic all-state and serving as a captain.
 
PERSONAL:  Born March 20, 1992, to Danny (pastor/football coach) and Diane (retail management) McDaniel … Has two brothers (Cam, TJ) … Cam played four seasons (2011-14) as a running back at the University of Notre Dame, where in his career he rushed for 1,117 yards and eight TDs … Majoring in finance.