OWEN DANIELS, TE, SR., WISCONSIN
Background: It all started when a tornado hit his hometown of Plainville, Ill., near his elementary school. The teachers wouldn’t let Daniels and the other first- and second-graders leave until it passed. At the time, Daniels was terrified. But in time, he became fascinated with weather. “Just growing up in the Chicago area, any time of year we had crazy weather,” Daniels said. “It can be summertime in the winter and vice versa.” The senior will graduate with a degree in atmospheric and oceanic sciences.
Stat line: Daniels has 15 catches for 172 yards and three touchdowns for the No. 14-ranked Badgers (8-1, 5-1 Big Ten). He came to Wisconsin in 2001 as a quarterback but the position was stacked. The staff did see his rangy 6-foot-3 frame and tried him at receiver, then tight end. He blew out his knee before the 2002 Alamo Bowl but has rebounded for 55 career catches for 756 yards and seven touchdowns.
What’s up: Ask Daniels. He’s the weather expert. Two summers ago, he interned in the meteorology department at WKOW-TV in Madison, Wis., and has taped three weather broadcasts. Playing football on TV sounds easier. “It’s definitely different,” he said. “It takes practice. It’s something you’ve got to get used to. There’s no prompter. There’s no scroll. You ad lib and talk from knowledge. That’s the difference between a weatherman and the news broadcaster.”
What’s next: Daniels has his sights on using his degree, but no, he doesn’t want to chase tornadoes. Weather in general is more interesting, and constant. “It’s something new every day,” he said. “With the degree I have, there are different avenues you can go. You can become a researcher or be a professor, but you’re sitting in front of a computer and not getting away from that. As a broadcaster you can do that and have the changeup of being on TV. You can have fun with it.” He may have to delay his weather career: Wisconsin coach Barry Alvarez thinks Daniels has a career in the NFL. But first, the Badgers must visit 10th-ranked Penn State (8-1, 5-1) on Saturday. The winner gets sole possession of the Big Ten lead.
Henderson’s take: Here’s another player who thankfully has his sights set on something besides the NFL. Some players look to the heavens and see their dreams. So did Daniels. But he also saw a low pressure front that fascinated him more than football. “Guys from the NFL come in and speak, and they lay it on the line,” he said. “They’re telling us that a real small percentage have the opportunity to play at the next level. Even if you do, it’s short-lived. Take advantage of the education here.”
