Jayden Daniels was announced as one of the four finalists for the 2023 Heisman Trophy. Daniels will be joined by Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr., Oregon quarterback Bo Nix, and Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. Daniels is seeking to become the latest LSU QB to win the award after Joe Burrow won it in 2019.
Jayden Daniels was incredible despite lackluster team performances
From a statistical standpoint, Daniels has an obvious case for the award. However, Daniels’ LSU squad will not be competing for a National Championship after ending the regular season with a 9-3 record. In recent memory, the Heisman Trophy has typically been won by players who are competing for a championship. Bryce Young, DeVonta Smith, Joe Burrow, and Kyler Murray are examples of players who have won the award recently.
However, team success should not be the determining factor for this award. Perhaps no one player has had a larger impact on his team’s success than Daniels in 2023. Lamar Jackson and Robert Griffin III were dynamic playmakers like Daniels who had similar team success, and yet both players still won a Heisman.
Jayden Daniels was on another level in 2023
Daniels finished the regular season with the third-most passing yards in the FBS, behind only Michael Penix and Bo Nix. However, Daniels led all quarterbacks in the FBS in rushing yards with 1,134. The QB also became the first player in FBS history to eclipse 12,000 passing yards and 3,000 rushing yards in a career this season.
Overall, Daniels finished the regular season with 3,812 passing yards, 40 passing touchdowns, and 4 interceptions. The dual-threat QB also added 1,134 rushing yards and also added 10 touchdowns on the ground. Daniels set new career-highs in rushing yards, passing yards, and more than doubled his previous high in passing touchdowns. Daniels received no help from his defense, either, as the Tigers ended the season with the No. 104 total defense.
The only game in which Daniels threw for less than 230 yards was a loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide. Daniels was concussed in this game, but still accounted for 3 total touchdowns before leaving the game.
Comparing Jayden Daniels to the competition
When compared to the other quarterbacks up for the award, Daniels has the highest quarterback rating and the most rushing yards. Daniels has a higher completion percentage, more touchdowns, and fewer interceptions than Penix. Daniels has the same amount of passing touchdowns as Nix and averaged more yards per completion.
Daniels also faced much more pressure than either QB. Daniels was sacked a whopping 22 times, while Penix was sacked 10 times and Nix just 5.
Finally, Jayden Daniels was announced as the SEC Offensive Player of the Year, ahead of stars like Brock Bowers and Jalen Milroe.
Jayden Daniels is the SEC Offensive Player of the Year pic.twitter.com/EiAZHnE0bn
— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) December 6, 2023
When factoring in Daniels’ dual-threat ability and his impact on his team, it seems clear who the Heisman winner should be.