40 Facts About Bryson Daily

Early Life and High School

Bryson Daily's journey to becoming a standout quarterback for the Army Black Knights began in Abernathy, Texas. His early years were filled with sports and achievements that laid the foundation for his future success.

1. Early Life and High School: Bryson Daily grew up in Abernathy, Texas, and attended Abernathy High School, where he excelled in multiple sports including football, basketball, and baseball.

2. High School Statistics: During his high school career, Daily completed 314 of his 646 pass attempts for 4,833 yards, 64 touchdowns, and 40 interceptions. He also rushed for 6,326 yards and 97 touchdowns.

3. High School Achievements: Daily led Abernathy High School to a 12-2 record in his senior year, totaling 2,175 rushing yards and 39 touchdowns. He also passed for 1,355 yards and 18 touchdowns, and logged a receiving TD, kickoff return TD, and 78 tackles with 10 tackles for loss and an interception.

4. District MVP: In 2018, Daily was the district 2-3A-II Overall MVP as a junior. He was also a stellar track athlete, winning the Texas Class 3A regional qualifier in the discus in 2019 and the Texas Class 3A bronze medal-winner in the discus in 2018.

Commitment to West Point

Choosing to play for the United States Military Academy was a pivotal decision in Bryson Daily's career. This commitment set the stage for his collegiate achievements.

5. Commitment to West Point: Daily decided to commit to play college football at the United States Military Academy, where he would go on to make a significant impact on the team.

Early College Career

Bryson's initial years at West Point were a mix of learning and brief appearances, but they were crucial for his development.

6. True Freshman Season: During his true freshman season in 2021, Daily appeared in only one game. This was a brief introduction to the collegiate level, but it set the stage for his future success.

7. 2022 Season: In the 2022 season, Daily appeared in five games and finished with 12 rushing attempts for 163 yards and two touchdowns. His first career touchdown came during the Week 7 game against Louisiana–Monroe, where he ran for 64 yards.

Breakout Season in 2023

The 2023 season marked Bryson Daily's emergence as a key player for the Army Black Knights, showcasing his dual-threat capabilities.

8. 2023 Season: Prior to the 2023 season, Daily was named to the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Watch List. He made his first career start against Louisiana–Monroe and went on to play in 11 games, starting 10 at quarterback.

9. 2023 Season Statistics: During the 2023 season, Daily rushed for a team-high 901 yards on 215 attempts (4.2 avg.) with a team-high seven touchdowns. He also added 913 passing yards, completing 60 out of 120 passes with seven passing touchdowns.

10. Phil Steele All-Independent Selection: Daily was named a second-team Phil Steele All-Independent selection following the 2023 season, recognizing his outstanding performance as a quarterback.

Record-Breaking Performances

Bryson Daily's ability to break records and deliver exceptional performances has solidified his place in Army football history.

11. Career Accolades: Daily has been selected as one of four team captains for the 2024 season, demonstrating his leadership and dedication to the team.

12. Rushing and Passing Records: Daily has broken multiple records in his career, including rushing for 100 yards and passing for 100 yards in four consecutive starts. He has amassed 909 rushing yards this season and 1,973 for his career.

13. Single-Season Records: Daily now holds single-season Army records for both rushing touchdowns (19) and passing touchdowns (7).

14. Game Against East Carolina: In a notable game against East Carolina, Daily tied Hall of Famer Elmer Oliphant's record by scoring six touchdowns in a single game. This feat is one of the most impressive in Army football history, dating back over a century.

15. Performance Against East Carolina: Daily's performance against East Carolina included five rushing touchdowns and one passing touchdown. He completed seven of 10 throws for 147 yards, including a perfectly-placed throw to Miles Stewart on the first drive.

Strategic Play and Adaptability

Bryson's success isn't just about raw talent; his strategic play and adaptability have been key to his achievements.

16. Play Action Strategy: Daily's success can be attributed to his ability to execute play action early in the game, which opens up the run game and creates opportunities for his receivers. He mentioned that this strategy allows the safeties and corners to think about the play action, thereby creating space for the run game.

17. Reactionary Spin Move: Daily's first scoring run was highlighted by a reactionary spin move, where he used a tackler's momentum to spin and sprint for the score. He joked about not having many juke moves like his running backs, but this move was purely reactionary.

18. Shotgun Formation: Daily has carried over experience from the Black Knights’ one-year experiment in 2023 to operate primarily out of the shotgun formation. This has allowed him to be more versatile and effective in his plays.

19. Career High in Net Yards: On Saturday against East Carolina, Daily had a career-high 31 carries for 171 net yards. He stated that he didn’t mind the number of calls, as it was whatever the defense gave them that they needed to do to gain yardage and get in the box.

Awards and Recognition

Bryson Daily's talent and hard work have earned him numerous awards and recognition, highlighting his impact on the field.

20. American Athletic Conference Top Offensive Player Award: Daily has won the American Athletic Conference top offensive player award for two weeks running and is a strong contender for a third award early next week.

21. Coach Jeff Monken’s Praise: Army coach Jeff Monken praised Daily, saying, “He’s just getting better. He’s getting more confident, and our offense is continuing to improve. … Bryson Daily is a tough runner. That kid’s just got a warrior spirit mentality with the way he plays. … But he’s also doing a really good job in the passing game and putting the ball where our receivers can get it.”

Leadership and Team Impact

As a team captain, Bryson Daily's leadership extends beyond his individual performance, influencing the entire team's success.

22. Leadership Role: As a team captain, Daily has taken on a leadership role, guiding his teammates and contributing to the team's success both on and off the field.

23. Injury Missed Game Against Air Force: In November 2024, Daily missed a service-academy game against Air Force due to an injury or illness. Junior Dewayne Coleman started in his place, and the Black Knights secured a 20-3 win.

Career Statistics and Highlights

Bryson Daily's career statistics and highlights paint a picture of a player who has consistently delivered outstanding performances.

24. Career Statistics: As of the 2024 season, Daily has completed 87 out of 168 passes for 1,542 yards, with 14 touchdowns and six interceptions. He has rushed for 1,973 yards with 28 touchdowns.

25. Career Highlights: Daily has been named to several prestigious watch lists, including the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Watch List in 2023. He has also been recognized as a second-team selection by the College Football Network and Phil Steele.

Multifaceted Athlete

Bryson Daily's athletic prowess extends beyond football, showcasing his versatility and dedication to sports.

26. High School Track Athlete: In addition to his football prowess, Daily was a standout track athlete. He won the Texas Class 3A regional qualifier in the discus in 2019 and the Texas Class 3A bronze medal-winner in the discus in 2018.

Family and Personal Life

Bryson's family and personal interests have played a significant role in shaping the person and athlete he is today.

27. Family Influence: Daily’s father, Darrell Daily, played football at the collegiate and NFL level, which likely influenced Bryson’s early interest in the sport. However, his father also emphasized the importance of preventing head injuries, which led to Bryson focusing more on basketball until later in high school.

28. Basketball Background: Before focusing on football, Daily was a multi-sport athlete who played basketball. His family’s concern about head injuries led him to explore other sports, but he eventually returned to football.

29. Fishing as an Outlet: Like many athletes, Daily uses fishing as an outlet to relax and find his happy place. He often goes fishing before summer football meetings to clear his mind and recharge.

Comparisons and Praise

Bryson Daily's performance has drawn comparisons to other standout athletes, earning him praise from teammates and coaches alike.

30. Tight End Bryson Nesbit’s Comparison: While Daily excels as a quarterback, tight end Bryson Nesbit from UNC is another standout player who has also been recognized for his exceptional performance. Nesbit has been fishing longer than he has been playing football and has earned first-team All-ACC honors.

Army’s Offensive Strategy

The Army Black Knights' offensive strategy has evolved, with Bryson Daily playing a key role in its success.

31. Army’s Run Option Team: The Army Black Knights have primarily been a run option team for decades. Daily’s experience from the 2023 season has allowed him to operate effectively out of the shotgun formation, adding versatility to the team’s offense.

32. Play Action Strategy Effectiveness: The play action strategy has been particularly effective for Daily, as it keeps the safeties and corners thinking about the possibility of a pass. This opens up the run game and creates opportunities for his receivers to make plays.

Praise from Teammates

Daily's teammates have recognized his skill and leadership, highlighting his impact on the team's success.

33. Receivers’ Praise: Daily’s ability to put the ball in the right place has earned praise from his receivers. Casey Reynolds, one of his receivers, has highlighted the importance of Daily’s play action and how it helps the receivers make crucial catches.

Adaptability and Resilience

Bryson Daily's ability to adapt and overcome challenges has been a key factor in his success on the field.

34. Defense Adaptation: The Pirates’ defense initially struggled to adapt to Daily’s play action, but they eventually came down and forced him to rely on other strategies. Despite this, Daily continued to perform well, showcasing his adaptability and leadership.

Career Milestones and Leadership

Bryson Daily's career milestones and leadership mentality have been instrumental in guiding the Army Black Knights to success.

35. Career Milestones: Daily has achieved several career milestones, including rushing for 100 yards and passing for 100 yards in four consecutive starts. He has also amassed 909 rushing yards this season and 1,973 for his career.

36. Leadership Mentality: Coach Jeff Monken has praised Daily’s warrior spirit mentality, highlighting his toughness and dedication to the sport. This leadership mentality has been instrumental in guiding the team to victories.

Team Improvement and Future Prospects

Under Bryson Daily's leadership, the Army Black Knights have continued to improve, with a bright future ahead.

37. Team’s Improvement: The Army offense has continued to improve under Daily’s leadership. His confidence and ability to execute plays effectively have been key factors in the team’s success.

38. Record-Breaking Performance: Daily’s performance against East Carolina was record-breaking, tying Elmer Oliphant’s six-touchdown feat from 1916. This achievement is one of the most significant in Army football history.

39. Community Recognition: Daily’s achievements have not gone unnoticed by the community. He has been recognized with several awards and accolades, including the American Athletic Conference top offensive player award.

40. Future Prospects: As Daily nears the end of his collegiate career, his future prospects look bright. His leadership, adaptability, and exceptional performance on the field make him a standout candidate for future opportunities in football.

Bryson Daily's Impact on Army Football

Bryson Daily has left an indelible mark on Army football. Growing up in Abernathy, Texas, he excelled in multiple sports before committing to West Point. His high school stats were impressive, and he carried that momentum into his college career. As a senior quarterback, Daily has broken records, led his team to victories, and earned numerous accolades. His ability to rush and pass effectively has made him a versatile threat on the field. Notably, his performance against East Carolina, where he tied a century-old record, showcases his talent and determination. Beyond his stats, Daily's leadership and warrior spirit have been pivotal for the Black Knights. As he nears the end of his collegiate career, his future in football looks promising. Bryson Daily's journey is a testament to hard work, dedication, and the pursuit of excellence.