Booger McFarland defends Jayden Daniels' Heisman win in fierce debate

LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels entered college football history on Saturday night as it was announced he is the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner. Of course, not everyone was in agreement with that decision.

USA Today reporter Dan Wolken was one of those people, taking to Twitter shortly after the announcement to voice his opinion. He argued that Washington QB Michael Penix Jr., who finished the second to Daniels, should have won the award.

“I don’t vote but would have voted Penix,” he wrote. “Daniel’s is obviously a great player, but his team was out of the mix for everything by Oct. 1. The voters didn’t care.”

That prompted former LSU defensive tackle turned ESPN analyst Booger McFarland to chime in to defend Daniels. He reminded Wolken that while the Huskies may have had a better season than the Tigers to reach the College Football Playoff, that’s not what the Heisman represents.

“This ain’t a team award boss,” he replied. “The most outstanding player in college football.”

After some more back-and-forth, Wolken claimed that Penix, “elevated his team in a way that nobody else in the country did.” He again pointed to a lack of quality wins for LSU, admitting that Daniels was “great” but that he had only “one good win on the season.”

That led to another passionate defense from McFarland on just how valuable the quarterback was in helping the Tigers finish 9-3. Daniels was clearly the heartbeat of the nation’s No. 1 scoring offense, finishing the year with 50 total touchdowns.

“I hear u but for a team whose defense was less than ideal, LSU won several games because of 1 person. #5,” McFarland wrote in his final reply. “So when u say elevate his team in a way nobody else did I find that hard to agree with.”

I hear u but for a team whose defense was less than ideal. LSU won several games because of 1 person. #5. So when u say elevate his team in a way nobody else did I find that hard to agree with

— Booger (@ESPNBooger) December 10, 2023

Jayden Daniels is the third player in LSU history to win the Heisman Trophy. His offensive firepower helped make up for a Tigers team that finished 104th in the country in total defense. The quarterback finished the year with 3,814 yards passing and 40 touchdowns to only four interceptions. He also led LSU with 1,134 yards rushing in addition to 10 scores on the ground.

Penix had a great season in his own right, leading the country with 4,218 yards passing, 33 touchdowns and nine interceptions. However, he was not nearly as dynamic a playmaker with his legs as he totaled negative rushing yardage for the season.

Washington still finished out the season undefeated and won the Pac-12 Championship. Although Penix didn’t win the Heisman, he still has the opportunity to deliver a national championship and make it a special year.

The Huskies take on Texas in a CFP semifinal matchup on New Year’s Day.