Daniel’s starring role began with summer audition

Versatile Newport Harbor standout made an impression in passing league and hasn’t stopped since.Jarrett Daniel has become a standout receiver, cornerback and kick returner for the Newport Harbor High football team this fall. But his most valuable role might be that of poster boy.

Sailors Coach Jeff Brinkley said he has used the 6-foot, 170-pound junior as a shining example of how quickly one can elevate oneself from substitute to star.

“In the spring and toward the end of summer, he wasn’t in our first group,” Brinkley said. “But we had a couple receivers hurt, so in a four-team passing tournament at Servite, he got his opportunity. All of a sudden, something clicked and he did a great job. He was really in sync mentally and physically.”

Brinkley was so impressed by Daniel’s breakthrough performance, he used it to make a point with the rest of the team.

“When I talked to the kids after that tournament, I singled [Daniel] out,” Brinkley said. “I told them, ‘This is how you get on the field. He got his opportunity, he made plays, and now he was in the mix [for increased playing time].’”

Daniel opened the season as a two-way starter and quickly distinguished himself. In the second game, he caught two touchdown passes, the second a 23-yard toss from Tom Jackson with 12 seconds remaining for the decisive score in a dramatic 21-17 nonleague triumph over Marina.

Jarrett further proved his flair for the dramatic against Mira Costa on Oct. 7, catching a pass that deflected off a defender for a 36-yard touchdown with 33 seconds remaining to help send the game into overtime.

Last Friday, in the Tars’ 41-14 Sea View League-opening victory over visiting Woodbridge, he returned a punt 51 yards for a touchdown and also caught a 59-yard touchdown pass from Jackson.

Daniel’s punt return, which opened the scoring with 4:45 left in the first quarter, was even more noteworthy in that it was the first punt return of his football career.

“I had to take an extra-deep breath before that punt,” he said. “My hands were shaking.”

Despite the sudden case of nerves, Daniel’s quiet confidence has allowed him to perform at a high level. His 17 receptions are one behind team leader James Coder, and his 239 receiving yards and five touchdowns are tops on the squad.

Daniel has also played well at cornerback, where he started earlier in the season and is now a spot contributor.

“I want to do whatever I can do to make the team better,” Daniel said. “It doesn’t matter to me where I’m playing, as long as I’m on the field.”

Daniel -- who helped the freshman team go 10-0, and contributed heavily to a 10-0 junior varsity team as a sophomore -- said he grew up dreaming of playing under the lights at Newport Harbor’s Davidson Field.

He played quarterback for his junior high flag football team at Mariners Christian, but was shifted to receiver and safety at Newport Harbor. He played on the scout team last season, but all that changed that fateful summer day at Servite.

“I knew I had to step up and just play well,” Daniel said of his passing tournament audition. “The coaches liked what they saw, I guess. Now, I just try to play with confidence and play as hard as I can.”

Daniels credits running quality routes and having good hands for his success as a receiver. He said he believes scrambling as a junior high quarterback helped him become a running threat after the catch, as well as on punt returns.

“Ever since the season started, he has been making big plays,” Brinkley said. “It’s great to see. And he’s only a junior.”20051020iomxh4kn(LA)