LSU Football Coach Brian Kelly believes quarterback Jayden Daniels is pulling away from the other contenders for the Heisman Trophy. Daniels has 4,591 passing and rushing yards combined. That’s nearly 1,000 more than Washington QB Michael Penix and Oregon signal caller Bo Nix, his two main contenders for the Heisman.
Kelly says Daniels ability to throw the deep ball and produce big plays with his legs sets him apart from Penix and Nix.
“These aren’t screen passes, these aren’t swing passes, these aren’t cupcake throws, and not that anybody is making cupcake throws to put themselves, I’m not saying that, but all of his throws are vertical throws and he’s pushing the ball down the field and his runs are not like wow where is everybody, he’s making people miss, he’s taking hits,” said Kelly.
The fifth-year senior is averaging 11 yards per pass play, while Nix is averaging ten per pass and Penix is at nine.
Daniels also has 36 touchdown passes, one more than Nix and six more than Penix Jr.
Daniels and LSU’s offense will get a good test in the regular season finale on Saturday against a Texas A&M defense that’s only allowing 287 yards a game, eighth lowest in FBS football. Kelly says Aggies defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin is an aggressive play caller.
“They mix things up very well especially their third down packages, you have to be on your toes, you certainly have to do a really good job in the protections, and protecting your quarterback and you have to find a way to mitigate some of the negative plays,” said Kelly.
The Aggies are only allowing opponents to convert 29% of the time on third down, which is the seventh lowest percentage in the FBS. Texas A&M also has 40 sacks, tied with UCLA for second most in the SEC.
It was over a week ago that Jimbo Fisher was fired, so defensive line coach Elijah Robinson is serving as interim head coach.
How much motivation will A&M have while playing for an interim coach. Kelly is more worried about LSU’s preparation.
“I’ve been in this long enough to know that whatever side of that they come out on, really doesn’t matter, it’s about how we prepare, because I just believe if we do a great job preparing and we perform at our level, we are going to have success,” said Kelly.
LSU heads into the final regular season game relatively healthy. Freshman linebacker Whit Weeks missed the last two games, but Kelly said it was because of a nasty gash on his foot. It required stiches and the stiches are out and he’s ready to go for Saturday.
Kelly also expects running back Logan Diggs to be available for the Aggies after missing the last two games with an upper body injury. Senior safety Andre Sam left the GSU game early but should be good to go for Saturday.
Texas A&M quarterback and former LSU Tiger Max Johnson is said to be day-to-day after missing the last two games with a rib injury. Sophomore Jaylen Henderson has started the last two games and has thrown for 410 yards and four touchdowns.
