March 6, 2022. That’s the day LSU announced it had signed Jayden Daniels, a three-year starter at quarterback at Arizona State, out of the transfer portal. Who would have thought Daniels would be a strong Heisman Trophy candidate 20 months later?
Heading into the spring of 2022, it seemed like LSU would roll with sixth-year senior Myles Brennan, redshirt freshman Garrett Nussmeier and true freshman Walker Howard.
It wasn’t a big surprise that LSU signed a quarterback, but it raised eyebrows when the Tigers signed a player who played in 29 games at ASU and accounted for 7,313 career yards.
“We saw a player who could be elite,” said LSU coach Brian Kelly on Monday following his historic performance against Florida. “It was a matter of him having the confidence in himself and then the development process needed to take place, so I think all of those things coming together and then having the confidence in himself to go out and do it and it has certainly been fun to watch.”
We saw Daniels had speed in his first game against Florida State in September of 2022. Another quality of Daniels was his ability to take care of the football. He didn’t throw his first interception until week six against Tennessee.
His accuracy has improved, and he’s added the deep ball this season.
Kelly said one of his better qualities that many people might not notice is Daniels strength and it impresses the Tigers strength coaches.
“His fiber in terms of how strong he is, is amazing. His fast twitch, all of the things require elite athletes to be he has all of those things, and our strength just marvels at the way he works out,” said Kelly.
Daniels has two more games to make his case to the Heisman Trophy voters.
Daniels is not the only LSU player up for a major award.
Junior wide receiver Malik Nabers is making a strong case to win the Biletnikoff Award, which goes to the nation’s best receiver.
There are many who believe Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr is the best pass catcher in college football. He’s a likely a Top five NFL draft.
This season he’s caught 59 passes for 1,063 yards and 12 touchdowns. Harrison Jr. is averaging 18 yards a reception. He also has a rushing touchdown.
But Nabers’ numbers are better except for touchdowns. The Lafayette native has 72 catches for 1,284 yards and 10 touchdowns. He’s also averaging nearly 18 yards a catch.
“Malik Nabers in terms of what he does on jet sweeps, what he does in terms of yards after the catch, catching the ball down the field, I think he is multi-dimensional in what he does, leading the country in receiving yards, I think he’s the best receiver in the country, and I think he’s deserving of a Biletnikoff award winner,” said Kelly.
• LSU RB John Emery Jr
Kelly confirmed LSU running back John Emery Junior is done for the season after tearing his ACL, while trying to make a cut against a Florida defender.
Disappointing ending to a collegiate career that unfortunately didn’t live up to the hype. The emergence of Logan Diggs had Emery watching most of the season from the sidelines.
He finishes this year with only 121 yards rushing and one touchdown. Just three catches for 58 yards.
