TAMPA, Fla. - BJ Daniels had some amazing plays at USF.

But his first touchdown pass against Florida State is his favorite.

His first touchdown as a Bull had an extra special meaning because it came against a team in his hometown that he grew up watching. 

“We saved that one play for that one moment,” BJ said. “Cause we weren’t going to call it any other time in the game except for our first touchdown when we got in the red zone. And it worked.”

BJ’s playing days are behind him now. He has traded in the football uniform for a suit in his new role as USF’s Assistant Director of Development. He’s making the transition from the gridiron to the office.

“I really just wanted to help our student athletes out in any way that I potentially could,” he said.

His experience alone will be a big help. His ties to the USF football program will be another. BJ holds school records for pass efficiency rating, most passing yards in a game and most 50-yard or more pass plays. Being back on campus is bringing back a flood of memories.

“The cool part about me being back here now is I never really realized how much I potentially have touched people by being here through my stories and trials and tribulations,” BJ said. “So even breaking my ankle or the positive of beating Florida State or just different things of people sharing stories of how I affected them in some sort of way while I was on this campus is really a big compliment and a pleasure to see.”

After USF, BJ made it to the NFL, first with the San Francisco 49ers, who selected the quarterback in the seventh round of the 2013 draft. His six seasons in the league also included stints with the Atlanta Falcons, Houston Texans and the Seattle Seahawks, where he won a Super Bowl ring in 2014.

“Just sharing my experiences, the good and the bad, with these student athletes cause I want them all to be successful as well,” he said.

BJ always knew he would end up back in Tampa. He bleeds green and gold and wants to do whatever he can to help out his alma mater. He’s not that far removed from his playing days with the Bulls but he’s seen a big transformation. 

And he wants Bulls fans to be excited about the future.

“There’s just so much change here and I think it’s all for the better,” BJ said. “I think it’s going to help us continue to hit that elevator and continue to go up in a positive manner. So I’m excited to be here during this transition in time and I want to figure out what I can do to contribute.”