A hard-hitting linebacker who arrived in Charlottesville as part of George Welsh’s first recruiting class, the Fredericksburg native left Grounds as the all-time leading tackler in Virginia history and currently stands at No. 3 on the list. He is one of only two players to ever lead the Cavaliers in tackles for three straight seasons. For his efforts, McDaniel—a team captain—led the 1983 team to the program’s first bowl game, earned first-team All-ACC in 1984, and helped paved the way for the success that followed Welsh’s teams over the next two decades.

McDaniel has displayed similar leadership as Chairman and CEO of Hilldrup, one of the country's largest moving, storage, and logistics companies with over 950 employees. Charles also serves as Chairman of UniGroup, Inc., the largest van line company in the country. He has also served on boards for the Virginia Athletics Foundation (VAF), UVA Alumni Association and the UVA Parents Association. Locally, in his hometown, he serves on the board of the Boys and Girls Club, the Stafford Hospital Foundation, and the Truist Bank Advisory Board.