Jayden Daniels didn't have to come back to LSU for another season with the Tigers. He did it because he had a very specific goal in mind.
That's what Brian Kelly explained Saturday, after Daniels' 10-for-11 day with 168 yards and 2 passing TDs in the Tigers' annual spring game. Garrett Nussmeier went 5-for-8 for 139 yards and another two TDs in the offense vs defense tilt that finished tied at 32 apiece.
"We think he is committed to being the best quarterback in the country," Kelly said. "We’ve seen that in his work ethic."
It's a much different story from this time a year ago, when the Arizona State was simply one of the names in a four-way quarterback competition that included Myles Brennan, Garrett Nussmeier and Walker Howard. Now only Daniels and Nussmeier remain, with the latter set to serve in the backup role.
Daniels' dual-threat ability was a key element in the Tigers' surprising run to an SEC West title. He threw for 2,913 yards and 17 TDs against just 3 interception, while also leading the team in rushing with 885 yards on 186 carries. He was playing as well as anyone in the nation, but suffered an ankle injury late in the year that clearly affected him in the final few games. He's bulked up to 210 this offseason, but it's his leadership that has stood out to his coaches.
"I think he’s picked up where he left off last year. Physically getting bigger and stronger, leading our offense, leading our entire team. He’s been a leader," Kelly said. "So I don’t think there’s any reason why not to think he would be the next version of that, and that means not only one of many good quarterbacks in the SEC, but one of the best quarterbacks in the country.”
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MORE FROM BRIAN KELLY
KYREN LACY KEEPS IMPRESSING
WR Kyren Lacy opened up the game with an incredible 70-yard touchdown grab on an overthrown ball that he had to snag with one-hand before breaking multiple tackles on the way to the end zone. That's just more of what the coaches say they have been seeing throughout camp from a player that's expected to be a contributor in 2023.
"The work that he’s been doing is much more about consistent approach in practices, and I think we’re starting to see how that’s translating to performance," Kelly said. "He was, I think, at times trying to find himself relative to where he fit. And I think he’s comfortable with where he is in our rotation now. His practice work ethic has been consistent and we can see it in terms of the way he’s playing.”
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LATEST ON JOHN EMERY
LSU went into the spring game light on running backs. Armoni Goodwin and Josh Williams were out with injuries throughout the spring, and John Emery continues to be focused on academics. It's still possible he returns this season, Kelly said.
“We have not ruled out John Emery from returning. I think I made it pretty clear that John has a path back, but it’s one that is really dictated by what he does academically. So, look, we have not made any misleading statements. We love him. But we’re putting academics first and foremost, and he’s got to take care of that first.”
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WHY WASN'T QB RICKIE COLLINS WEARING A NONCONTACT JERSEY?
“Young quarterbacks, we don’t want to shut them down early. We want to let him keep playing, so it’s always been my philosophy with the younger quarterbacks to let them keep playing instead of shutting the play down early, because they’re still processing. And so, if you let them play, in my opinion, it’s allowed them to process the game a little bit better instead of shutting it down with the red jersey.”
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KICKING COMPETITION WIDE OPEN
“It’s clearly not a position where we’ve decided on who the starting kicker is. I think [Damian] Ramos and [Nathan] Dibert are still competing for that kicking position. We saw it today, both had misses. So we have to keep an open mind on it and we still have to keep them competing.”
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Y'ALL ARE 'SLEEPING' ON NOAH CAIN
“Noah is … I think he may be the one guy we may be sleeping on a little bit. We really see a different guy in terms of the way he moves in and out of his breaks. He’s a lot smoother. We felt like he was a bit choppy at times last year, we thought that he ran a little too high last year. But he’s assignment correct. You can rely on him in pass protections. He’s going to catch the ball. That’s a pretty good guy to have on your team, and he’s really worked hard on some of those physical things that sometimes you think ‘well, he is who he is.’ But really proud of what his progress has shown to our own eyes, and that’s a good thing.”
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