Incoming freshman QB Robert McDaniel signed with UCLA this past December, but after participating in 11 spring practices with UCLA, he entered the transfer portal in late April. After committing to head coach Ken Niumatalolo’s San Jose State Spartans this week, McDaniel will now have a chance of starting as a freshman.
UCLA signed former Tennessee starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava this spring, causing a domino effect in the Bruins’ QB room with several leaving through the portal to seek more playing time, including McDaniel.
Why Robert McDaniel’s Surprise Transfer to San Jose State Is Turning Heads
Standing at 6’1″ and 195 pounds, Robert McDaniel was a four-star recruit by Rivals and three-star by On3 in the class of 2025 out of Hughson High School, near Modesto, California.
He was good enough as a prospect to reach the Elite 11 Finals, one of the highest compliments for a high school QB. 247Sports ranked him as the No. 31 quarterback in the nation for the 2025 class.
BREAKING: UCLA transfer QB Robert McDaniel has signed with San Jose State, @PeteNakos_ reports🔵🟡https://t.co/eiixODk8Sq pic.twitter.com/gWCVkKkjl6
— Transfer Portal (@TransferPortal_) May 8, 2025
He wasn’t the only quarterback who left UCLA; Joey Aguilar also transferred out and went to Tennessee to replace Iamaleava. McDaniel committed to San Jose, having initially received their recruiting offer when he was in high school. It appears the program still holds an active interest.
San Jose State is coming off consecutive 7-6 seasons, which ironically ended with losses in the Hawaii Bowl in both of those seasons. It could be excused as an adaptive season for new head coach Ken Niumatalolo. Next campaign will be Niumatalolo’s second in charge.
Ironically, Niumatalolo also joined San Jose State from UCLA, where he was an assistant. Ken Niumatalolo is 116-89 in the FBS as a head coach. Most of those games were from his time as Navy’s head coach from 2007-22. He’s 6-6 in bowl games during that time.
RELATED: Nico Iamaleava Soaks Up UCLA Love After Transfer Portal Chaos at Spring Showcase
Niumatalolo is Navy’s all-time winningest coach with 109 wins. During his tenure as the head coach of the Midshipmen, Navy appeared in 10 bowl games, and he was the AAC Coach of the Year three times.
McDaniel can expect to see an improvement working with Niumatalolo, as he has experience with the position. He played quarterback with Hawaii and was part of the program’s first bowl appearance in 1989.
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