E s t. 18 87
T hat Kid Speci al Edition
T hu r s d ay, D e c e m b e r 14 , 2 023
Vo lum e 13 4· N o. 27
HEI5MAN Jayden Daniels wins third Heisman in LSU history.
L SU Re ve i l le.co m @l s u r e ve i l le
page 2
STEADY CLIMB
B-16 Hodges Hall Louisiana State University Baton Rouge, La. 70803
NEWSROOM (225) 578-4811
Editor in Chief CLAIRE SULLIVAN Managing Editor LAUREN MADDEN Digital Editor OLIVIA TOMLINSON News Editor OLIVER BUTCHER Deputy News Editor CROSS HARRIS Sports Editor PETER RAUTERKUS Deputy Sports Editor MACKAY SUIRE Entertainment Editor MATILDA SIPP Opinion Editor COLIN FALCON Multimedia Editor MATTHEW PERSCHALL ERIN BARKER / The Reveille
LSU senior quarterback and Heisman winner Jayden Daniels kisses the Heisman Trophy on Dec. 9 in New York.
How Jayden Daniels’ unconventional path led to a Heisman Trophy BY PETER RAUTERKUS @peter_rauterkus NEW YORK — Jayden Daniels has reached immortality. When Joe Burrow won the Heisman Trophy in 2019, many thought no LSU player would ever replicate that season. Four years later, Daniels did, and Saturday night he joined Burrow and Billy Cannon as the third Heisman winner in LSU history. “This is a dream come true,” Daniels said in his acceptance speech. Joining the LSU football program at the height of its uncertainty, he’ll leave as one of the greatest players in its history. Doubted by many throughout his first season in the program and even early in his second, he’ll be remembered as arguably the most electric player the school has ever seen. His Heisman run was unconventional. It wasn’t the typical tale of the leader on the best team. Daniels proved throughout the season he was the country’s best player, but it wasn’t the fairytale season for LSU like Burrow’s Heisman run in 2019. Even for Daniels, there were roadblocks. LSU started the season in the worst possible fashion, losing by three touchdowns to Florida State on national television. Daniels spoke to reporters after the game, and while there were few positives to take away from the game itself, Daniels’ leadership was encouraging.
“Everything falls on me,” he said in the postgame news conference. “Being the leader and the quarterback of the team, I gotta get the guys going.” Daniels was hardly the issue against Florida State. He threw for 346 yards and added 64 yards on the ground, but many fans remembered his untimely interception and the offense’s two turnovers on downs in the red zone rather than the 45 points the defense gave up. His leadership and accountability was impressive, but over the next few weeks he had far more to offer than that. Two weeks later, LSU traveled to Mississippi State for its conference opener, and Daniels starred. He threw for 361 yards and two touchdowns on 30 of 34 passing, officially announcing to America that he was more than just a good quarterback; he was elite. A ranked matchup with Ole Miss came two weeks later, and Daniels looked untouchable. After shaking off a first-quarter fumble, he threw for 414 yards and four touchdowns and added 99 yards and a touchdown on the ground. He hit Brian Thomas Jr. in the endzone on a 34-yard pass to go up 49-40 with eight minutes to go, and it looked like Daniels and LSU were about to transcend into the realm of the unbeatable. But once again, this season was no fairytale.
Ole Miss came back to win the game 55-49, and, with two losses before the end of September, a Heisman campaign was an afterthought. Then, to start November, LSU lost to Alabama and Daniels left the game in concussion protocol, officially eliminating LSU from Southeastern Conference Championship contention. It’s rare for a player to win the Heisman without being in contention for the playoff, much less his own conference championship. But Daniels’ individual play never faltered, and coming out of concussion protocol, he had his Heisman moment. He became the first player in FBS history to throw for 350 yards and rush for 200, willing LSU to a 52-35 win again Florida. “If he didn’t win it tonight, he’s got to be a leading candidate,” Brian Kelly said after the game. Over the course of just one game, Daniels went from an afterthought to the player to beat for the Heisman, and from there he never loosened his grasp. It culminated in a moment on the field that was etched into his Heisman suit. After a touchdown pass to increase LSU’s second half lead to 10, Daniels returned to the sideline to do his signature handshake with backup quarterback Garrett Nussmeier. Except this time, after exchanging high-fives, Daniels hit the iconic pose, capturing the moment where he might’ve won
the award on the field. Many argued that a player from a three-loss team couldn’t win, but the Heisman Trophy is given out to individuals, not teams. No one argued Daniels’ case harder than his head coach. “He is the best player. You can say whatever you want, ‘well we’re 7-3 and whoever else is undefeated.’ That doesn’t mean anything. What matters is who’s the best player,” Kelly said. He had his competition. Bo Nix, Michael Penix Jr. and Marvin Harrison Jr. all made a case at different points of the season to leapfrog Daniels, but he never stopped shining. Everyone from his coach, to the fans, to his teammates argued his case at every opportunity, but it was his consistent magic on Saturdays that earned him the award. His leadership was unmatched. His performances were incomparable. His team didn’t go undefeated, but every player, coach and fan understood his value. “He’s the best player in college football in my eyes,” LSU football wide receiver Malik Nabers said. “Jayden Daniels is our leader,” LSU running back Josh Williams said. “We always migrate towards him.” Now Daniels stands alone. He is the best player in college football, and his legacy is forever cemented at LSU and in college football as the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner.
Production Editor MADISON COOPER Chief Designer EMMA DUHÉ
ADVERTISING (225) 578-6090
Layout/Ad Design BEAU MARTINEZ Layout/Ad Design SAMUEL NGUYEN
CORRECTIONS & CLARIFICATIONS The Reveille holds accuracy and objectivity at the highest priority and wants to reassure its readers the reporting and content of the paper meets these standards. This space is reserved to recognize and correct any mistakes that may have been printed in The Daily Reveille. If you would like something corrected or clarified, please contact the editor at (225) 578-4811 or email editor@lsu.edu.
ABOUT THE REVEILLE The Reveille is written, edited and produced solely by students of Louisiana State University. The Reveille is an independent entity of the Office of Student Media within the Manship School of Mass Communication. A single issue of The Reveille is free from multiple sites on campus and about 25 sites off campus. To obtain additional copies, please visit the Office of Student Media in B-39 Hodges Hall or email studentmedia@ lsu.edu. The Reveille is published biweekly during the fall, spring and summer semesters, except during holidays and final exams. The Reveille is funded through LSU students’ payments of the Student Media fee.
Thursday, December 14, 2023
page 3
Building a Heisman winner: How Jayden Daniels became elite BY MACKAY SUIRE @macthetiger They say greatness comes from outside of your comfort zone, when you dig deep into the core of yourself and uncover potential that was hidden before. Greatness isn’t just given; it’s earned. At the end of his 2021 season at Arizona State, quarterback Jayden Daniels walked off of the field knowing he was good. But, he didn’t want to be good. He wanted to be great. The California native found his home in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, soon after, taking a chance on the program, and on himself. Choosing LSU would ultimately be the most pivotal decision of his life. “There were other opportunities for him,” LSU quarterback coach Joe Sloan said in “That Kid Jayden,” LSU’s four-part documentary on Daniels. “He came here with no promises and an opportunity to compete, and he always challenged himself that way.” Daniels didn’t become a Heisman Trophy winner overnight, though, and it would take more than one season for him to settle into his offensive groove. That isn’t to say, however, that LSU didn’t find success in the 2022 season. The Tigers underwent coaching and positional changes, were in some sort of rebuilding period following the peak 2019 season, and yet still managed to find themselves fighting for a Southeastern Conference Championship against the then No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs. It was Daniels at the forefront of it all. But Daniels knew he could be more. He wanted to return to LSU for his last season, but only if he knew for certain that the people
around him would be willing to work toward greatness just as much as he was. “When he decided to come back, one of the things that he asked me and asked our staff is, ‘Hey, if I’m coming back, we need to have a plan. What am I coming back for?’” Sloan said in “That Kid Jayden.” Daniels began approaching the game with an all-or-nothing mindset. If he was going to spend one more year playing college football, why not take it all the way? And so, Daniels and the coaching staff began rewriting his game plan. Not long after, the coaching staff began to watch this plan unfold. When Daniels elevated his preparation, he also raised his performance. The staff watched as, little by little, he developed into the player he wanted so badly to be. “I think it started in spring football,” offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock said in “That Kid Jayden.” “You could see that he had addressed some of the things that we felt like were holding us back.” Daniels continued to work toward his end goal throughout the summer as well. His new routine started at 5 a.m. at LSU’s practice facility, where he would sit and analyze film, dissecting the plays into minuscule movements and taking notes. Some mornings, he was joined by his receivers. The quarterback also began to prioritize the physical aspects of the game just as much as he did the mental aspects. “He was emerging throughout the season in ‘22,” head coach Brian Kelly said in “That Kid Jayden.” “You could see that that growth was occurring, but I think the physical development, the under-
MORGAN COOK / The Reveille
LSU football senior quaterback Jayden Daniels (5) practices Nov. 25, before LSU’s 42-30 win against Texas A&M at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, La. standing of how important it was for him to put on more weight and develop physically, you could see it in the weight room.” This newfound physicality coupled with a profound game mentality went hand in hand. It allowed him to fully act on the plays he could envision. Daniels worked closely with the coaching staff, taking in their critiques and working to harder and harder to overcome deficits. The relationship he continued to develop with Sloan became the foundation of who he became as a quarterback. “He played a pivotal role in my life,” Daniels said to reporters about Sloan before the Heisman ceremony. “You know, just challenging me in different types of
ways, and just the relationship that we built over the past two years, you know, just to see me grow in little facets of areas that needed improvement. I can say that he’s probably proud of me.” In each game of his last season at LSU, Daniels continued to push his performances to new heights. He became the epitome of hard work, embodying the late nights and early mornings that he consistently showed up for. After those games, Kelly made sure to credit Daniels’ preparation during the week as the reason he was able to overcome adversity on the field each Saturday night. “I think that the game comes a little bit easier to him now,” Kelly said in “That Kid Jayden.” “I think his preparation is outstanding so
when he gets to Saturday, I think he’s very confident in what he sees and how he’s going to play the game.” Daniels now leaves LSU with new hardware, along with an accepted invitation to join the most prestigious brotherhood in all of college football. He is the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner, but he always knew he could be. He strived to unlock a new level of greatness and did just that. “I wanted to elevate my game,” Daniels told reporters before the Heisman ceremony, “not just for the season, but for the future. I had to look in the mirror at myself and say, ‘How do I get better?’” Now, months later, Daniels isn’t just better. He’s officially the best.
ERIN BARKER / The Reveille
LSU senior quarterback and Heisman trophy winner Jayden Daniels stands with head coach Brian Kelly on Dec. 9, in New York, NY.
Thursday, December 14, 2023
page 4
Inside the inspiration behind Jayden Daniels’ unique suit BY PETER RAUTERKUS @peter_rauterkus Winning the Heisman Trophy is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Few get the chance to accept the most prestigious award in American sports in front of an audience of millions. Given that stage, most of the student athletes like to make a statement, or at least look their best. The Heisman winner’s suit is always a topic of conversation, especially in the age of social media. Some opt for a simple, elegant look, while others go for flash or use the suit to send a message or showcase something special to them. Jayden Daniels combined the two ideas with his Heisman suit. He sported a gray, threepiece custom suit lined with the picture of him hitting the Heisman pose against Florida. “He likes a little bit of flair, but he is definitely more elegant, classy,” Daniels’ designer Nathan Pearce said.
ERIN BARKER / The Reveille
LSU senior quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels stands with his family on Dec. 9 in New York, NY. Pearce is the founder and CEO of Pearce Bespoke Franchising and the owner of Pearce Bespoke Baton Rouge, a custom clothing franchise. Pearce
works with athletes and coaches throughout LSU athletics along with politicians, professional athletes and other high-profile clients.
“What’s so cool about it is a Baton Rouge company is the company that was selected to do his fittings, and it just shows how much he’s loved his clothes throughout the season,” Pearce said. “We’re honored for him to pick us and for him to be rocking the clothes.” Pearce has worked with Daniels throughout the season and came up with the unique lining inside his jacket. He created the liner by printing a photo of Daniels flashing the Heisman pose and turned it into a custom Bemberg lining on the inside of the jacket. While Pearce added his influence on the inside of the jacket, Daniels came up with the idea for how he wanted the suit to look. “I had the color scheme in my head, and then I just started going from there,” Daniels said. “Honestly, I always had a different suit for each Tiger Walk, and this kind of color I didn’t wear, and I wanted to wear it.” Pearce said adding a unique
touch to the suit was important for Daniels in this occasion. Apart from the liner, Pearce said other features such as the monogram, hand-picked stitching and handmade buttonholes make the suit unique. “We took a very old school style, and we made it in a very modern fit,” he said. Daniels’ suit compliments his quiet, yet confident persona and play style. The suit isn’t loud or boisterous, but it’s unique and illustrates what many call his Heisman moment. He joked that he had to switch up the style, opting against the turtleneck he sported before many games this season and what he wore for the Johnny Unitas Award. Turtleneck or not, it’s a suit that will remain synonymous with his immortality in college football. It’s the suit that will be seen among the other Heisman winners when his portrait forever lines the walls of the Heisman Trophy ceremony.
Joe Burrow offers advice to Jayden Daniels before ceremony BY MACKAY SUIRE @macthetiger LSU football made history in 2019, creating a season that, statistically, was near perfect. Led by quarterback Joe Burrow, the stellar, NFL-level roster produced some of the best college football ever played, and fans watched it all unfold. That same year, over 1,000 miles away, Jayden Daniels began writing the first chapter of his own college career. And what a story it’s become. Daniels currently sits in New York City, hoping that his name is the one called when the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner is announced. He’s now considered one of the best quarterbacks in college football history, sitting alongside Burrow, the 2019 Heisman Trophy Winner. Now, with arguably the biggest night of Daniels’ career approaching, Burrow has been able to use his experiences and offer them up to Daniels as advice. Burrow texted Daniels before the Heisman Ceremony on Thursday, giving him insight on what he could expect from the weekend. “He reached out to me yesterday, you know, to give me words of encouragement and stuff like that, just wishing me the best,” Daniels said. “He said, ‘You’re gonna be doing a lot to get your mind prepared.’” “He was very straightforward about it. You know, he’s like, ‘Just enjoy every little moment because these moments you can’t get back.’” Burrow has been watching Daniels develop over the last two seasons from afar. He’s been in those same shoes and walked that same path. Daniels expressed he had previously spoken with Burrow during
LSU’s spring game this year, adding that the two have a “building” relationship. “We both know that we’re very busy human beings,” Daniels said the day before the Heisman ceremony. “But he’s always watching me. He told me that he’s always watching me, no matter if he reaches out or not. He’s always on my side.” ERIN BARKER / The Reveille
“‘Just enjoy every little moment because these moments you can’t get back.’”
The Heisman Trophy sits at the Marriott Marquis on Dec. 8 in New York, NY.
JOE BURROW
2019 Heisman winner Daniels has been taking Burrow’s advice to heart, reflecting on his college career. Ultimately, however, he still somehow feels as though his journey has been a dream. “My five years of college, everything I’ve been through, it’s been a surreal moment as it winds down and it comes to an end,” Daniels said. Daniels’ journey has paralleled Burrow’s in many ways. Both guys came to LSU as transfers, hoping to find success in a bigger capacity on a much bigger stage. “What led me to leave Arizona State was it was just a lot of uncertainty within the program, and for me, I kind of needed to step out my comfort zone and really just go out there and try something new,” Daniels said in a preseason interview. Daniels ultimately learned, just as Burrow did, that in Baton Rouge, right outside of that comfort zone, awaited greatness.
Joe Burrow Total Yards: 4,614 Total Touchdown’s: 44 *REGULAR SEASON STATS ONLY
Jayden Daniels Total Yards: 4,946 Total Touchdown’s: 50
Thursday, December 14, 2023
page 5
Heisman Finalists Jayden Daniels LSU
Bo Nix University of Oregon
3,812 passing yards
4,145 passing yards
1,134 rushing yards
228 rushing yards
22 sacks
5 sacks
50 passing touchdowns
40 passing touchdowns
10 rushing touchdowns
6 rushing touchdowns
4 interceptions
3 interceptions
95.7 quaterback rating
91.0 quaterback rating
Marvin Harrison Jr.
Michael Penix Jr.
Ohio State University
University of Washington
1,211 receiving yards
4,218 passing yards
67 receptions
-18 rushing yards
14 receiving touchdowns
10 sacks
1 rushing touchdowns
33 passing touchdowns
4 interceptions
3 rushing touchdowns
18.1 yards per play on
9 interceptions
average
83.4 quaterback rating
Daniel’s Heisman Vote First Place Votes: 503 Points: 1,509 Second Place Votes: 217 Points: 434 Third Place Votes: 86 Points: 86 Total Points: 2,029
Thursday, December 14, 2023
page 6
Thursday, December 14, 2023
page 7
HEISMAN TROPHY CEREMONY Saturday, Dec. 9, in New York, NY
LSU senior quarterback and Heisman Trophy finalist Jayden Daniels speaks to the media. LSU senior quarterback and Heisman winner Jayden Daniels holds the Heisman Trophy.
The Heisman Trophy sits at the Marriott Marquis.
LSU senior quarterback and Heisman winner Jayden Daniels takes a picture with the Heisman Trophy. LSU head coach Brian Kelly speaks to the media after quarterback Jayden Daniels wins the Heisman Trophy.
Photos by Erin Barker
Heisman Trophy finalists, from left, LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels, Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., Oregon quarterback Bo Nix, and Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr., stand for a photo with the Heisman Trophy.
LSU senior quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels speaks to the media.
LSU senior quarterback and Heisman Trophy finalist Jayden Daniels shows off his suit.
Heisman Trophy finalists, from left, LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels, Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., Oregon quarterback Bo Nix, and Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr., look down at the Heisman Trophy.
Thursday, December 14, 2023
page 8
How a kid from San Bernardino, California, got to Baton Rouge BY TYLER HARDEN @ttjharden8 This story was originally published December 8, 2023. Almost five years ago, Jayden Daniels arrived in Tempe, Arizona, to early enroll at Arizona State. Now, he’s a Heisman Trophy finalist after throwing for the third-most yards in the country and having more rushing yards than any quarterback in the country. But he didn’t do that at Arizona State. He did it at LSU, a place he didn’t expect to find himself five years ago. He isn’t unfamiliar with the spotlight regardless of his change of schools and his spark on the field this season. Daniels was a four-star recruit out of Cajon High School in San Bernardino, California. According to 247sports, he was ranked as the No. 1 dual-threat quarterback in the country, the No. 5 recruit in California and the No. 35 overall recruit in the Class of 2019. He held 25 Division I offers out of high school, including an offer from LSU. He also held Southeastern Conference offers from Alabama, Tennessee and Florida, where he took an unofficial visit. But it looked like Daniels really wanted to stay on the West Coast. Two schools seemed to have separated themselves during his senior season in 2018: University of California-Berkeley and UCLA; he took an official visit to Cal on Sept. 1, and UCLA two weeks later on Sept. 15. Later in Daniels’ senior season, however, two more schools earned themselves official visits: Utah and Arizona State. He took an official visit to Utah on October 20, 2018, and an official visit to Arizona State on Nov. 10. Arizona State was the last school Daniels visited officially, and it seemed to have made the biggest impression on him. On December 13, 2018, Daniels committed to the Sun Devils, and he signed with them six days later on Early Signing Day. He enrolled early at Arizona State in January 2019, and it worked well in his favor. In his true freshman season, Daniels completed 205 of 338 pass attempts for 2,943 passing yards and 17 touchdowns through the air. He ran for another 355 yards on the ground on 125 carries and three rushing touchdowns. As for many players in the country, however, COVID-19 disrupted the momentum Daniels had after his true freshman season. The Pac-12 started its season in November, and the Sun Devils only had seven games scheduled. Of those seven games, three of them were canceled. That season, Arizona State went 2-2, and Daniels completed 49 of 84 pass attempts for 701 yards and five passing touchdowns. He ran for 223 yards and four touchdowns
on 33 carries. The 2021 season was a return to normalcy for Arizona State, but it took more time for Daniels to get his footing. He threw for 10 touchdowns in his junior season in 2021, but he also threw 10 interceptions. But the 2021 season is when Daniels started to separate himself in the run game, as he ran for 710 yards and six touchdowns on 138 carries. “It was great for me. I still talk to everybody to this day, they support me and are happy for me,” Daniels said of his time at Arizona State. With the overall regression Daniels saw after his junior season, it was clear he needed a change. On February 17, 2022, Daniels entered his name into the transfer portal, and on March 6, he committed to LSU. “I don’t regret anything at Arizona State, but coming here and really just believing in myself and my talent, plus the LSU platform, obviously, it goes a long way,” Daniels said. The 2022 transfer portal was loaded with talent at the quarterback position, as defending Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams, fellow Heisman Trophy finalist Bo Nix, and the former No. 1 quarterback in the Class of 2019 Spencer Rattler, all entered the portal after the 2021 season. Any of those quarterbacks could have come to LSU and made an impact right away, but Daniels was the one to do so at the start of the season for the Tigers. After a 24-23 loss to Florida State in the 2022 season opener, many Tiger fans were quick to blame the new quarterback. After improving to 4-1 on the season, LSU was halted by No. 8 Tennessee with a 40-13 loss at home. But from there, Daniels became a big part of the team’s resurgence. The Tigers went on to win their next five games, and they finished the season 10-3 after a 63-7 win over Purdue in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl. Daniels finished his first season at LSU with 2,913 passing yards, which ranked 43rd in the country. But he led all quarterbacks in the country with 885 rushing yards. With the impact Daniels made on the ground in the 2022 season, he was set to have a promising graduate senior season in 2023. Almost nobody expected it to be as promising as it turned out to be, so promising that it earned him SEC Player of the Year, AP Player of the Year and a trip to New York as a Heisman Trophy finalist. But it all started in San Bernardino, California, when Daniels decided to continue his athletic career at Arizona State. That experience allowed him to make the decision to come to LSU. “The work that you put in, day in and day out, matters,” Daniels said. “If you feel like you’re not getting the attention that you need, those are gonna come at some point. God has a plan for everybody.”
MORGAN COOK / The Reveille
LSU football senior quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) runs with the ball Nov. 11 during LSU’s 52-35 win against Florida at Tiger Stadium.
TARUN KAKARALA / The Reveille
LSU football senior quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) throws the ball Nov. 18 during LSU’s 56-14 win against Georgia State in Tiger Stadium.
CHYNNA MCCLINTON / The Reveille
LSU football junior quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) throws the ball Saturday, September 17, 2022, during LSU’s 31-16 win against Mississippi State at Tiger Stadium.
Thursday, December 14, 2023
page 9
In plain sight: Jayden Daniels’ unique path to making history BY JASON WILLIS @JasonWillis4 This story was originally published December 9, 2023. The best players in college football seem to come out of nowhere sometimes. Everyone knows the impressive stories of players like Baker Mayfield, who went from a three-star walk-on at Texas Tech to a Heisman winner at Oklahoma, or Cam Newton, who was suspended from Florida and forced to retreat to the JUCO level before winning the Heisman at Auburn. Those players overcame great odds to become Heisman winners. No one could’ve predicted they’d end up where they did, and that kind of unpredictability is often what sets college football apart. At first glance, LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels doesn’t have that same long shot profile. A star recruit, he wasn’t buried on a depth chart for years when he made it to the college level; he’s started all but one game in his collegiate career. However, his journey to New York as a Heisman finalist is markedly different from those that have come before him. He wasn’t an unknown. He didn’t come out of nowhere; he came out of plain sight. Daniels was the starter as soon as he walked onto a high school football field, leading the team for all of his four years at Cajon High School in San Bernardino, California. As a recruit, he was ranked as the No. 35 player in the 2019 recruiting cycle by 247Sports, third among quarterbacks, behind only current South Carolina starter Spencer Rattler and fellow Heisman finalist Bo Nix, now at Oregon. Having enrolled early at Arizona State, he was again the immediate starter by the time fall came, the first true freshman to ever start in the season-opener for the Sun Devils. His freshman season was promising, as he led Arizona State to an 8-5 record and finished with 3,298 total yards and 20 touchdowns. He made remarkably few mistakes, with only four turnovers, and produced three ranked wins, including an incredible victory over Justin Herbert and No. 6 Oregon in which Daniels had 408 passing yards. It seemed he was on a path to stardom, but that ascent was halted in the coming years. His second year, shortened by COVID-19, was unspectacular, and, despite another 8-5 season in Daniels’ junior year, it was a clear step back for him as a player. Daniels threw as many interceptions as he threw passing touchdowns with 10 each. In each of Arizona State’s last five games, he had fewer than 160 passing yards. To outsiders at that point, Daniels was what he was as a player. After three years of evidence, you wouldn’t expect much to change. He was a skinny quarterback with middling arm talent, wavering decision-making and a tendency
REAGAN COTTEN / The Reveille
LSU football senior quarterback Jayden Daniels warms up while wearing a shirt dedicated to Greg Brooks Jr. on Sept. 23 before LSU’s 34-31 victory over Arkansas in Death Valley in Baton Rouge, La. to scramble before diagnosing the field. He was written off. A solid first season at LSU after transferring changed that perception slightly, but no one would’ve confused Daniels for a Heisman contender. Now, everything has changed. Daniels has taken the (late) leap to stardom in his fifth year, leading the country in total yards with 4,946 and touchdowns with 50 while also being mind-bogglingly efficient. He leads the country in yards per play and passing efficiency, an NCAArecord 208.0, and has had just five turnovers. Among Heisman winners historically, his total yards and his touchdowns per game (4.17) would rank third all time. It’s unprecedented for a player who was a known commodity for four years, who didn’t suffer from lack of opportunity to show how good they were, and had proved to be average, to make the jump to Heisman contention. Most Heisman winners’ rise to stardom was quick once they won the starting job. Maybe they were unknowns entering the season, but only because they hadn’t yet gotten a starting opportunity, not because they hadn’t produced, like Daniels. You’d have to go all the way back to Carson Palmer at USC in 2002 to find a player who didn’t win the Heisman within his first two years as a full-time starter or wasn’t already an all-conference performer by the time he did. Daniels, then, is a stunning late bloomer. One of the most remarkable aspects of Daniels’ season is that he’s answered all of the questions about the holes in his game. He’s read the field better, he’s become adept at
the deep ball and he’s chosen his spots to run with more care, all while maintaining his fearless style of play. In a way, his rise is a product of the times. With the NCAA-wide extra COVID-19 year and an increase in transfer exceptions that have allowed athletes to stick around for five, six, seven years, Daniels is one of many who have been afforded extra time to develop as a player. He’s also obviously gotten a bump in resources in the switch from Arizona State to LSU, now surrounded by top-notch coaching and a supporting cast of players who will be high draft picks. However, more than anything, Daniels’ late ascent is a testament to his work ethic and all the time he’s put in since coming to Baton Rouge. He’s become the team’s unquestioned leader, due largely to his unwavering commitment to steady improvement. Daniels now sits in New York and awaits to hear if he will be the one chosen for the Heisman from a group of Nix, Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. The Heisman ceremony, airing Saturday at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN, will answer that question, revealing the results of a voting process including 870 journalists nationwide and all the living former Heisman winners. Whether or not Daniels wins, his inclusion in the ceremony is a fitting end to a career that has been incredibly impressive, if less of a dynamo and more of a slow burn. The lengthy nature of his ascent sets Daniels apart in history and highlights what sparked his success: he never stopped trying to get better, no matter how difficult it was — or how long it took.
TARUN KAKARALA / The Reveille
LSU football senior quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) raises his hands during the 48-18 LSU win vs. Auburn on Oct. 14 at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, La.
page 10
Thursday, December 14, 2023
How Jayden Daniels became the glue of the Tigers’ offense
RUSH RAGE CHYNNA MCCLINTON / The Reveille
LSU football junior quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) runs with the ball September 4, 2022 during LSU’s Allstate Kickoff game defeat to Florida State 23-24 in the Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, La. BY MACKAY SUIRE @macthetiger This story was originally published September 5, 2022. So many questions ran to the forefront of LSU fans’ minds in regard to how the team’s new offense would perform in the first game of the season. Against the equally strong defense that Florida State possessed, it was evident that the winner of this game would be the team whose offense prevailed. Arizona State transfer Jayden Daniels was at the center of those offensive questions, and as QB1 against Florida State, all eyes were on him for his first game in purple and gold. LSU’s offensive line seemed to struggle from the get-go as Daniels was left vulnerable behind the line of scrimmage multiple times. More often than not, when Daniels remained in the pocket, he was left defenseless against the powerhouses of Florida State’s defensive line. The Seminoles took advantage of that, racking up four sacks against the Tigers’ quarterback. Nonetheless, there was no question as to why Daniels was chosen for LSU’s season debut. The athleticism and speed he portrayed was the saving grace
of LSU’s offense. With the many cracks that had yet to be patched up within the offense, the Tigers needed a leader on the field that would consistently take whatever action necessary to move the ball down the field. Daniels was undeniably that leader, and ultimately accounted for 323 of LSU’s 348 yards of total offense. Of those yards, 114 came on the ground. Though the outcome of the game tells a much different story, Daniels put together a solid debut. In just four quarters, he managed to place his name on a list of LSU quarterbacks with the most rushing yards in a single-game. Daniels is now tied for sixth on the program’s list with Lynn Amedee, a member of the 1961 roster who, in a game against Tulane, also collected 114 rushing yards. The defensive coverage that the Seminoles went into this game with was one that Daniels and the coaching staff weren’t necessarily prepared for. LSU’s young offensive line lacked the experience and ability to outsmart and outplay them. In the first half of the game, fans saw these struggles of the offensive line. Those weaker plays often left the quarterback with very little options to choose from after the snap. Daniels, almost every single time, chose to rush.
“If he didn’t feel like there was somebody open, that’s the dimension that he brings, and that’s running the ball,” head coach Brian Kelly said. “So that’s the one thing you’re going to give up, if you’ve got guys turning their back and running, and we took advantage of that.” Daniels’ specific ability as a quarterback became exactly what LSU needed to stay afloat, and though Daniels didn’t expect to start, he did know that the coaching staff would make a decision with the team’s best interest in mind. “I just go out there and be me, every day being consistent. Now, I have to lead this team. Everything else is a decision that the coaches decided upon,” he explained. Throughout the first half of the game, it was evident that Daniels was left to garner yards on his own. With incomplete passes to multiple receivers, and a stellar Seminole defense, yards were earned inch by inch, as LSU attempted to move toward a first down. Daniels’ leadership qualities came even more to light after the game as he took accountability for the many mishaps that occurred within the LSU offense. “The whole thing that we talked about in the quarterback room
was controlling and keeping the rhythm of the offense. That’s our job. First half, I didn’t do a good job of keeping the rhythm of the offense. That’s not gonna help us win football,” he said. Daniels also talked about Malik Nabers, the sophomore wide receiver who headlined the offensive performance with two muffed punts. Though many people are to blame for the outcome of LSU’s season opener, Nabers certainly felt the gravity of his mistakes. “He’s like my little brother,” Daniels said. “You know, I know that he didn’t want that to happen. Nobody wanted that to happen and so things happen but I think that you gotta keep your head up. He cares, and he shows he cares. Mistakes happen in football, and today I just told him like, keep your head up. You’re gonna come out and make a play to help us win this game.” Tempo did seem to change in the second half for the Tiger offense, as LSU began to create more opportunities for Daniels to send the ball down the field for receiving yards. Daniels explained that for him, a huge key to this switch was a quicker release of his passes. Florida State’s defensive line was unwavering and Daniels knew he would have to make the changes necessary to
be successful. Kelly was impressed with the rhythm that Daniels seemed to settle into in that second half. “He’s a threat, but we don’t want to rely on him having to go back there,” Kelly said. “When he does sit in the pocket, we saw his ability to find open receivers, show the patience and in particular on the last touchdown. He stayed in the pocket, showed great patience and found Jaray Jenkins in the back of the end zone.” Fans undoubtedly noticed that change of pace in the last drive of the game, a 99-yard drive that ended in disappointment. In that final snap, Daniels found a gap up the middle of Florida State’s defense, where Jenkins patiently awaited his pass. The wide receiver crossed the end zone as the final second ticked off of the clock. The score was 24-23 and the fate of LSU was held in the hands of a field goal, which was ultimately blocked. With more success in the final minutes of the game than in the first hour, it’s evident that LSU’s offensive line has more than enough potential to be successful. It could be expected that no matter the weaknesses in LSU’s offense, Daniels will remain a leader, both on and off of the field.
Thursday, December 14, 2023
page 11
New locker room: A look into Jayden Daniels’ journey to LSU BY HENRY HUBER @HenryHuber_ This article was originally published September 1, 2022. Jayden Daniels’ current situation is much like the beginning of his college football career. Facing the inevitable departure of longtime starting quarterback Manny Wilkins after the 2017-18 season, Herm Edwards and the Arizona State coaching staff did what they could to prepare by recruiting three quarterbacks from the 2019 class. They recruited four-star Joey Yellen, three-star Ethan Long and, of course, four-star Jayden Daniels. Alongside those three was Dillon Sterling-Cole, who backed up Wilkins for three seasons and registered a start as a freshman in 2016. Despite Sterling-Cole’s edge in experience, Edwards didn’t indicate anyone as a favorite initially, stating that the race was wide open. Similarly to LSU in 2022, the quarterback competition lasted most of the offseason. After a few months, the race went from four to two, with Daniels and Sterling-Cole coming out as the front runners. Come mid-August, Daniels was announced as the starting quarterback. Daniels recalled that quarterback competition in player interviews during fall camp, sporting a similar attitude to the quarterback room that he currently has with the Tigers. Even though they were competing, he did his best to form positive relationships with them. “Those are the guys you’re going to be with on the sidelines and talking to throughout meetings,” Daniels remarked.
“You’ve got to be able to trust them, and they have to be able to trust [you].” Though Daniels has won every quarterback race, at least since his freshman year of high school, he’s never let those victories get to his head, striving to form good relationships with his quarterback rooms. He’s done a decent job so far, evident by the fact that the two quarterbacks he joined Arizona State with opted to stay until early 2022. Though the decision to start Daniels would initially pay off for the Sun Devils, with the then-freshman flourishing in the Pac-12 and improving the team’s previous record by a win, the fireworks wouldn’t last. Fast forward two seasons, and the team showed little improvement, following a promising 5-1 start with an embarrassing, midseason collapse that had it finishing with the same record as 2019. Among their disappointments was Daniels, whose second full season as a starter did not meet expectations. If you took seven of his touchdowns from his freshman season and converted them into interceptions, you would have his touchdown-to-interception ratio from 2021. With two years of eligibility remaining and controversy placing Arizona State football in jeopardy, he had two options: ride the ship to its impending doom or swim in search of better waters. He took that decision to the next level though, opting to test his abilities at the highest difficulty and with the most eyes on him in the Southeastern Conference. After less than three weeks in the portal, he became
MORGAN COOK / The Reveille
LSU football senior wide receiver Kyren Lacy (2) and senior quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) embrace after a great play Nov. 25 during LSU’s 42-30 win against Texas A&M at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, La. a Tiger. “The opportunity presented itself to compete at the highest level, against the best conference in college football in the SEC West,” Daniels said about the decision. “To be able to be around the top matches where I’m trying to go and where I’m trying to be.” Not only did he join a team in
REAGAN COTTEN / The Reveille
LSU football senior quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) celebrates a touchdown with LSU football senior wide reciever Kyren Lacy (2) on Oct. 21 during LSU’s 62-0 victory against Army in Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, La.
the toughest division in college football, he also wasn’t guaranteed the starting job despite his track record. He would have to compete with long-time backup Myles Brennan, up-and-coming redshirt freshman Garrett Nussmeier and five-star prospect Walker Howard, a near-identical spread to the one he dealt with at Arizona State. Brennan and Nussmeier had already proven they could hold their own as the starter in a limited capacity at the SEC level, and Howard impressed tremendously throughout the offseason. Though Howard quickly got marked off as a candidate, this was a three-man race through much of the offseason, and a tight one at that. Daniels considered this a plus in regard to what he’s trying to accomplish, as he sees it as another factor to help better himself. “I just want to help prepare them and help them prepare me because at the end of the day, whoever’s called to be the starter is going to be the starter,” Daniels said. “It’s a great quarterback room, one of the top in the country.” In an attempt to better himself, he risked losing a quarterback battle and potentially dropping his NFL draft stock. That doesn’t seem to bother him though, as he firmly believes that whoever gets the starting job will provide the team with the best chance to win. Even with Brennan departing halfway through fall camp, the race remained tight, with Brian Kelly and the LSU coaching staff
not coming to a decision until about a week before kickoff. While Daniels has been consistently seen as the favorite lately, we won’t know until Sunday. The competition also isn’t technically over, with Kelly stating he wouldn’t be surprised if both players see the field this season. Whatever is decided, it isn’t likely to damper either player’s motivation or their relationships with each other. According to both quarterbacks, the camaraderie in the quarterback room is strong, and neither has seen this as a competition. “That’s my little bro,” Daniels said about Nussmeier. “I know I’m trying to help prepare him because you never know what could occur at the end of the day.” “In the quarterback room, we’re going to need each other. It can’t be divided because we all have to be in the this together.” He’s had the same attitude regarding the quarterback room since the start of his college career, seeing the quarterback role as a team effort rather than an individual one. Throughout the press conference, he preached the importance of leadership, citing it as one of the aspects he has worked on the most. The decision to transfer to LSU was high-risk, high-reward, with Daniels potentially losing a sure starting job in pursuit of a better opportunity to prove himself a develop of his skillset. Whether or not he wins the role, he will still have a role with this team as a leader.
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE HEISMAN TRUST