Danforth was an alumnus of Baylor University. He pitched two seasons at Baylor and pitched two no-hitters as a collegiate. In 1911 he led Baylor to the Texas championship with a 10-0 win–loss record. He had agreed to join the Athletics for the 1911 season over the winter of 1910–11, but held off signing his professional contract until graduating from Baylor, joining the Athletics in July. The 1912 Reach Guide described him as a "clever young pitcher" and said that the Athletics were "fortunate" in his "gradual development" in their pursuit of the 1911 league championship.
