As a rookie, it can be difficult for people to understand the nerves and emotions that come with playing for the first time in a new city you now call home. When Washington Commanders' quarterback Jayden Daniels makes his debut at Northwest Stadium against the division rival New York Giants later today, someone else in the DMV can relate to his feelings -- Washington Nationals' rookie right fielder, Dylan Crews.
The two athletes out of LSU both ended up playing their respective professional sports in the same city.
For Daniels and Crews, the similarities only begin there. Both rookie standouts were drafted second-overall and won the highest honor in their respective sports -- Daniels secured the Heisman Trophy in 2024, while Crews procured the Golden Spike in 2023. Crews also made his debut in Washington, D.C. against a New York team, competing against the New York Yankees.
Because of their similar paths to the pros, the two have been somewhat connected since making their starts in DMV despite not having much crossover in Baton Rouge. The two make concerted efforts to support one another as they forge their own paths at the highest level of their respective sports.
When Crews was promoted from Triple-A Rochester to the Nationals, Daniels recorded a video of himself congratulating Crews on making it to the big league.
"What's up, Dylan? Jayden Daniels here," Daniels started the video. "You know, my fellow LSU Tiger. Congrats on getting called up. I can't wait to see you ball out. I'm going to pull up to a couple games to see you do your thing, man. If you need anything, I'm here. Welcome to The Show."
Daniels' support of Crews means a lot, especially given their unique connection.
"My initial reaction was shocked honestly because he's a special player, a special kid and just to see him make a video out of his time and his schedule means a lot," Crews said. "I'm very thankful for that and…he's going to be doing special things over there on that team."
The right fielder got off to a fast start, recording a hit and his first major league home run in his second start and first win with the Nationals, beating the Yankees 4-2 on Aug. 27. In 17 games and 66 at-bats, Crews has recorded 15 hits, three of which have been home runs.
Ahead of Daniels' debut, Crews offered advice to his former classmate. As Daniels enters his second week at the helm of the Commanders' offense and has the chance to make his debut in Landover, Crews advice still rings true.
"The advice I've got for Jayden is just really soak everything in and understand that all your hard work and everything has got you there to that point and time," Crews said. "Really just soak it in and have the most fun you can because the game doesn't change. It's the game you've been playing since you were a kid and it's going to be fun. It's going to be fun for you and your family. I'll be watching, it'll be awesome."
The LSU-to-Washington, D.C. support pipeline is clearly mutual. Last week, Crews was photographed sporting a burgundy No. 5 Commanders jersey -- Daniels' number -- as he boarded the team plane to Pittsburgh ahead of the Nationals' series against the Pirates.
"Obviously we went to school together and he won the Heisman, I won the Golden Spike and both going second-overall to a team in Washington, obviously the Commanders and the Nationals, so there's a little special bond there right now and I'm just happy to see what he's been doing and getting the starting role over there as the quarterback," Crews said. "Everybody in Baton Rouge and everybody in D.C. are all happy to see it. It's a special talent, so I can't wait to watch."
In June, Daniels visited Nationals Park to throw the ceremonial first pitch before the team faced the Atlanta Braves. Daniels and some other Commanders rookies stuck around to support another D.C. sports team, although they couldn't see Crews in action because he had yet to be called up.
Although he won't be in attendance to watch the Burgundy & Gold take on the Giants, Crews will have plenty of time to get out to Northwest Stadium as the Nationals' season comes to a close, and he plans to do so.
"Whenever I have time to go out and watch the Commanders and Jayden do their thing, I'll definitely take some time out to go do that and go support them," Crews said. "It's going to be fun."
