That Kid Jayden: LSU QB Jayden Daniels Wins 2023 Heisman Trophy
Jayden Daniels has done it. The prolific signal-caller has won the 2023 Heisman Trophy after a dominant season in Baton Rouge.
Daniels becomes the third Heisman winner in program history, joining Joe Burrow and Billy Cannon as the trio of Tigers to hoist the most prestigious award in college football.
The country ran out of superlatives to describe the magical season Daniels had in 2023. From 500+ yard performances to dazzling touchdowns, the nation's most electric player now takes home the coveted honor.
Daniels beat out Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr., Oregon quarterback Bo Nix and Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. to earn the award.
The numbers speak for themselves. After catapulting the LSU offense to No. 1 status, the routine eye-opening statistics took America by storm with Daniels now reaping the benefits.
He's now won the Davey O'Brien Award, Walter Payton Player of the Year Award, AP Player of the Year, SEC Offensive Player of the Year and more over the last few weeks.
Now, he adds a Heisman Trophy to the collection after one of the best seasons in program history.
The Magic of Jayden Daniels:
Daniels put together a record-setting season in 2023, leading the nation in total offense (412.2), touchdown passes (40), TDs responsible for (50) and rushing yards by a quarterback (1,134). His pass efficiency rating of 208.0 through 12 games is the best in FBS history.
The five-time SEC Offensive Player of the Week this year, Daniels is one of only two players in SEC history to pass for 3,500 yards and rush for 1,000 yards in a season, joining Johnny Manziel who did it in 2012 at Texas A&M.
Daniels is also one of only five players in SEC history to account for 50 touchdowns in a season, joining Heisman Trophy winners Burrow (63), Tim Tebow (55), Cam Newton (51) and Bryce Young (50).
Daniels became the first player in FBS history to pass for 350 yards and rush for 200 yards in a game when he did it in the win over Florida, setting the SEC record for total offense with 606 yards. Daniels passed for 372 yards and rushed for 234 yards in the 52-35 win over the Gators.
A week later, he tied the LSU record for touchdowns in a game with eight (6 passing, 2 rushing) in the win over Georgia State. He tied Burrow’s mark which was set against Oklahoma in 2019.
Daniels accounted for at least four touchdowns in nine games this year, one shy of the school record and he’s reached the 400-yard mark in total offense six times. He joined Burrow as the only players in LSU history to have three 500-yard games of total offense in a season.
Overall, Daniels has thrown for 3,812 yards, connecting on 236-of-327 passes with only four interceptions.
Daniels became the catalyst behind an LSU offense that led the nation in total offense (547.8) and scoring (46.4). The Tigers are the only team in college football to average 300 passing yards and 200 rushing yards a contest. LSU ranks No. 4 nationally in passing yards per game (334.3) and No. 7 in rushing with a 213.5 average.
The LSU offense also featured the nation’s leader in receiving yards in Malik Nabers and the top two touchdown producers at wide receiver in Brian Thomas (15) along with Nabers (14).
Now, Daniels takes home the top honor in all of college football after hoisting the iconic Heisman Trophy on Saturday night in New York city. The one-of-a-kind athlete has cemented a legacy in Baton Rouge, establishing himself as one of the greatest Tigers in program history.
