Missouri's Daniel enjoying the million-dollar Buffett

Enamored with Missouri's offense, Daniel made it to Columbia in 2005, having run the same system at Southlake (Texas) Carroll. It took a while -- namely 10 losses in his first two seasons -- but he and the Tigers finally broke through in 2007. Six Tigers from that offense at least made it to NFL camps.

There are only 11 returning starters, total, this season but perhaps just as much NFL talent. In addition to Daniel and receiver/returner Jeremy Maclin (perhaps the team's best pro prospect), there are tight end Chase Coffman (son of NFL veteran Paul Coffman) and William Moore, a safety in a linebacker's body.

"Contenders? Definitely," Maclin said. "We got a sniff. We got a taste of it last year. Now we want the whole thing."

Daniel thought about coming out early -- going as far as having his draft position evaluated by the NFL after last season. The notion was fleeting. Only Daniel, his father, coach Gary Pinkel and quarterbacks David Yost know the results. Safe to say it wasn't in the first half of the draft because here he is.

"He's very poised," said Maclin, who set a freshman record for all-purpose yards in an All-American season. "He knows the right thing to say at the right time. It's something he's brought up with him his whole life. Playing at Southlake and losing one game (out of his final 32 games), he definitely knows how to win."

And Missouri definitely knows how to use Daniel to win hearts and minds.

•  He was the keynote speaker Friday in Columbia at the opening of the Show-Me State Games, an event for the state's best amateur athletes. His presence wouldn't be as notable if not for previous keynoters -- former president (George Bush the elder) and an Olympic champion (Jackie Joyner-Kersee).

•  The quarterback flew in here Monday morning from Southern California, where Daniel is a guest instructor at the Elite 11 prospects camp. After grabbing some Kansas City barbecue and doing a few interviews, Daniel was scheduled to fly right back to California.

•  When a group of Future Farmers of America touring the Missouri football complex this spring found out the quarterback was in the building, they bum-rushed him for autographs. Daniel gladly obliged until every last FFAer was satisfied.

•  At something called the Blue Jean Ball in the spring, a hundred or so of Missouri's biggest donors gathered on the floor of Faurot Field to hear Daniel thank them for contributing to Missouri's cache of facilities.

"They own what we're doing," said the man who doesn't realize how fully he owns the loyalties of fans of this success-starved program.

And beyond.

Oh yeah, you're wondering why Warren was pimping Chase? First, you need to understand how the two got together at all. Buffett is a bit of a jock sniffer. In a good way, mind you. Deep down he is a Nebraska fan which makes sense with his famed Berkshire Hathaway firm based in Omaha.

Every year Buffett sponsors seminars at his headquarters for aspiring college students interested in business and finance. Earlier this year, Daniel, a finance major, made the trip with teammate Dain Wise and approximately 150 other Missouri students. Buffett and the quarterback became fast friends after Daniel brought a signed football. The billionaire did his part by wearing a black and gold tie.

And, yes, the powerful man did wave his wallet.

"He takes his wallet out of his back pocket and hands it to me," Daniel said. "This huge, huge wallet. He said, 'No, here, seriously. (Someone) take a picture of you holding it.' I don't know many people who get to touch the richest guy in the world's wallet."

The two bonded, swapped football stories and later exchanged e-mails. Admirers from afar of each other's talents. Daniel would someday like to get into real estate, if the economy ever improves. For now it's football. Chuckin' Chase doesn't have quite the same ring as that other Mizzou Heisman hopeful from 68 years ago. But the rich man has an idea where the young man is headed.

"I go back to Paul Chrisman," Buffett said breathlessly. " 'Pitchin' Paul.'"