ASHBURN, Va. — Kliff Kingsbury is fully onboard with the virtual reality simulation that Jayden Daniels attributes to enhancing his quarterback skills, despite initially feeling disoriented by the technology.
“The first time I put it on, I backed into the wall,” said Kingsbury, the Washington Commanders’ offensive coordinator and former Texas Tech quarterback. “It felt like the (pass) rush was coming.”
Having played in Mike Leach’s “air raid” system with the Red Raiders from 2000 to 2002, Kingsbury understands the importance of adapting to new approaches and offensive strategies.
“I’m all in on it,” Kingsbury said about the VR platform. “I mean, it’s an unbelievable technology.”
Six weeks into his rookie season, Daniels is the talk of the league and part of early MVP discussions. The Commanders, with a 4-2 record and a highly efficient offense averaging 29.7 points per game, are set to face the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.
What sets Daniels apart is his ability to set the VR simulation at the highest speed setting possible, allowing him to process information quicker on the field.
“It moves faster within the VR than actual human beings,” Daniels explained. “Once you get out there, everything slows down. I know this is coming. I’ve seen this before, and it moved more than 20 times faster in VR.”
Jayden Daniels works with virtual reality every morning like a “flight simulator for QBs”@tracywolfson has more 🎤 pic.twitter.com/LmScO2SBt4
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) October 13, 2024
The German company Cognilize developed the simulation that arrived on the LSU campus before Daniels’ final season. As a dual-threat quarterback, Daniels quickly became adept at using the immersive technology, which was originally intended for soccer players to get extra practice without physical exertion. This technology transformed Daniels from a mid-to-late round draft projection to a Heisman Trophy-winning star.
After excelling at LSU, Daniels was drafted by the Commanders and continues to shine in the NFL with his exceptional accuracy and quick decision-making.
Confidence throwing into coverage and “having a feel for space” is part of Daniels’ college-to-NFL adjustment and another way the simulation aids improvement.
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Simulations allow the quarterback to move in the pocket and use the entire field, enhancing their spatial awareness and decision-making.
Washington took an early interest in Daniels during the pre-draft process, leading Kingsbury to make the VR simulation a crucial component of the team’s training regimen.
“It’s a unique technology, and it’s definitely for the quarterbacks,” Kingsbury said. “I think it is more effective than them just watching the film. They’re going through their reads, they’re going through their progressions, they’re seeing it.”
For backup quarterback Marcus Mariota, the VR simulation is “amazing” in helping quarterbacks recognize defensive patterns and develop comfort within the team’s offensive system.
Hartman, a member of Washington’s practice squad, has played video games wearing the Oculus headset but gets motion sickness with all the actual movement. The football simulation does not require running around.
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While the assistance of the VR simulation in Daniels’ success cannot be quantified, the technology has undoubtedly played a significant role in his development as a quarterback.
As the Commanders continue to embrace new technologies and innovative approaches to coaching, Daniels’ success story serves as a testament to the effectiveness of VR simulations in quarterback training and development.
(Illustration: Meech Robinson / The Athletic; photos: Patrick Smith, Michael Reaves, Michael Zagaris / Getty Images)