LSU football will be playing in the Reliaquest Bowl, but Jayden Daniels won't be there. He's going to focus on preparing for the NFL draft, where he's expected to be a first round pick.
And regardless of where you land on the "should he play" debate, WWL's Bobby Hebert points out that we'll almost certainly look back at JD5 as the last Heisman trophy winner to do what he's doing right now.
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"Usually they’re in the final four or they play in the extra games to try and be a national champion. Well next year, the future Heisman trophy winner, they’re going to be in the top 12 at least, right? So they’re going to continue the season," Hebert said. "So Jayden Daniels is the only one that it’s over and he’s not playing in a bowl game, and we know LSU is not in the postseason. … That’ll be a trivia thing for the Heisman question.”
It's likely true, though had there been a 12-team bracket this year there would've likely been some difficult conversations regarding the Tigers considering they finished No. 13 in the final CFP rankings. Regardless, had they made it, Daniels certainly would've played.
The risk-reward simply doesn't make sense for a player who has very little to gain and a heck of a lot to lose with an NFL career out ahead of him. WWL's Mike Detillier thinks that could include being a top-3 pick along with QBs Caleb Williams and Drake Maye.
"People are too sensitive. I’ve got people, ‘ahh, I’ve got people, he should be playing in this game, think about his team … it’s all about I with him.’ No, he’s been a team player," Detillier said. "If you don’t understand that, shame on you.”
If you'd like an example of exactly what can happen, look at linebacker Jaylon Smith, who spent time with the Saints this year. He was expected to be a high first round pick, but he tore up his knee in the Fiesta Bowl game. He ultimately went in the second round to the Cowboys, but there's no question what he'd do given a chance to make that decision again.
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In the end, if there's anyone to blame for Daniels skipping the bowl, it's LSU's "sorry" defense, as Hebert puts it, which was shredded all season and flailed in losses to Alabama and Ole Miss. Wins in either of those games and this could've been a completely different conversation.
“if you’re truly an objective fan and not just a homer, that you have to understand from the individual and the family perspective what they have to lose," Hebert said. "You weigh the pros and the cons, and where he’s at right now, come on, he’s coming off an unbelievable season at LSU, won the Heisman trophy. Now, what he needs to do? And fans might not want to hear this, work his ass off and whenever the scouts and all come in … because that could be the difference, where if he goes off the charts, that he could be one of the top 5 picks.”
It's also a clear matter of perspective for LSU fans, with Garrett Nussmeier now getting the opportunity to lead bowl practices and get an early chance to stamp his name as the QB of the future ahead of the transfer portal mania that ensues every offseason in modern college football.
"That’s a great opportunity for him," Hebert said. "Now, when you have opportunities, you have to take advantage of those opportunities.”