In speaking with media members before the Heisman ceremony, Jayden Daniels was asked about the way he wants to be remembered in LSU lore.
“It was important to me coming back this year to leave LSU in a better place than I found it. Continue his growth with everybody, not just me. Garrett [Nussmeier], Rickie [Collins], the guys who are coming after,” Daniels said. “Being a mentor for them. I’ve been in college for some time so I have a little bit of knowledge that I can give them.
“The thing I’m proud of most is the leadership aspect. I had the most votes for team captain so that’s what I’m most proud of, how my teammates viewed me on and off the field.”
On Saturday evening, Daniels became the third LSU player to win college football’s most prestigious award, joining former LSU legends Billy Cannon and Joe Burrow. He’ll now be in that conversation every time you bring up the greats in this program.
Daniels was the most dominant player in college football in 2023, becoming a Heisman Trophy finalist while leading the nation in total offense (412.2), passing TDs (40), total TDs (50) and rushing yards by a quarterback (1,134). His 208.01 pass efficiency rating is the highest in FBS history. He’s only the fifth player in SEC history to account for 50 touchdowns in a season.
In 12 games, Daniels accounted for at least four touchdowns nine times and he joined Joe Burrow as the only players in LSU history to reach 500 total yards in three games in a single-season. Daniels set the SEC record with 606 total yards against Florida when he became the first player in FBS history to rush for 200 yards (234) and pass for 350 yards (372) in a game. He tied the LSU mark with eight touchdowns (6 passing, 2 rushing) in the win over Georgia State.
“It goes back to the work we put in last offseason. The main thing was just trusting each other. The receivers trusted me and I trusted the receivers. The relationship we built off the field helped develop on the field,” Daniels said.
The improvement Daniels made in his game was undeniable. His downfield passing was not just improved but almost to an unbelievable degree as he threw for 70 plays that went for 20+ yards and had a 146.8 passer rating on those throws. The level of detail he put into the nuances of his game like footwork, manipulating defenses with his eyes and film study helped Daniels become the best version of himself according to quarterbacks coach Joe Sloan.
“His ability to throw really catchable balls in stride and make guys runners was another thing. And a lot of it was footwork, being in the proper position at the proper time with his read and when the ball needed to go certain places, his feet were in the proper position and now he can spin the football,” Sloan said. “That combined with the deep ball and I think we simplified, got better at about five or six concepts. He trusted them and let it rip.”
“My preparation changed. I didn’t want to come back and be the same person,” Daniels said about the improvements he made in his game. “I wanted to elevate my game not just for the season but for the future. That’s just something I had to ask myself. How do I get better?”
“It goes back to the work we put in last offseason. The main thing was just trusting each other. The receivers trusted me and I trusted the receivers. The relationship we built off the field helped develop on the field.”
In addition to Saturday night’s Heisman trophy nod, Daniels has also picked up the Davey O’Brian award win, won the Johnny Unitas award, been named AP player of the year, Walter Camp player of the year, SEC offensive player of the year and a first team All-American along with Malik Nabers by USA Today. When he transferred two years ago, Daniels didn’t know what to expect but with the knowledge he’s gained, the move to LSU has been one that’s well worthwhile.
“It was a great decision that I don’t regret,” Daniels said. “Really just believing in myself, my talent plus the plan that LSU laid out for me. It goes a long way. There’s a lot of greats that came through LSU and I’m just happy to be a part of that.”
Daniels will now be forever tied to the program as one of the all time greats and while winning the Heisman wasn’t going to be the determining factor in Daniels’ legacy, it certainly adds to his iconic run with the program over the last two seasons.
“The joy that I play with. I give it my all, everything I do. I never quit but I want people to look back and say when he played football, he was very joyful,” Daniels said.
