Curtis Vaughn McDaniel graduated from Fort Payne High School in 1989. As a four-year starter in football, he played full back and nose tackle. He made All-Area three years in a row and was an All-State honorable mention in 1987 and 1988. After high school, he signed with Hinds Mississippi Junior College, where he played 20 games, recorded 134 tackles, 17 quarterback sacks, and knocked down four passes.
He played in the Mississippi All-Star game and was an honorable mention All-American his sophomore year of college. McDaniel went on to sign with Jacksonville State University in 1991. That year, he was fifth on the team in tackles with 112 and helped lead JSU to the 1991 National Championship Game with a 12-1 record. He was named to the All-Gulf South Conference team. In 1993, he recorded 96 tackles, eight tackles for a loss, and three quarterback sacks. He was again named to the All-Gulf South Conference and Division II All-American teams.
McDaniel continued to play football in the NFL, signing with the Seattle Seahawks in 1994 and playing one season with the London Monarchs.
