Desmond Howard makes the case why LSU QB Jayden Daniels is the X-factor vs. FSU

The near year-long wait for round two between Florida State and LSU is finally going to come to an end this weekend. If the Tigers want to come out victorious in part two, though, Desmond Howard says QB Jayden Daniels is going to have to give them everything that he’s got.

Howard joined ‘Get Up’ on Friday morning and addressed Daniels’ role as an X-factor in Orlando on Sunday. If he plays better than he did last fall, which Howard believes he has a chance to based on the development that he has made this offseason, Daniels could be at the center of what’s an impressive opening win for LSU.

“I think he played well (last year), well enough to win. But I think that he’s going to have to play even better for LSU’s Bayou Bengals to be able to beat Florida State,” said Howard.

“This guy is a dual-threat quarterback. Everything coming out of Baton Rouge says that he has taken a step up as far as leadership, his accuracy,” Howard continued. “He’s a very mobile quarterback. But I think he’s much more confident and comfortable in the offense.”

Daniels started his first season with the Tigers by going 25-34 against FSU for 209 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed 16 times for 114 yards and another score as the team’s leader on the ground that night as well. However, it wasn’t enough to get LSU to overtime as, after throwing both of his touchdowns in the final five minutes, the Seminoles blocked his team’s potentially tying extra point.

With how Howard sees this game playing out, he sees Daniels as LSU’s best chance of getting revenge. He thinks he’s going to have to try and have enough bullets in the chamber to help the Tigers put enough points in order to win the Top-10 rematch.

“He’s going to be a key factor,” Howard stated. “Going up against the Seminoles with Jordan Travis, Johnny Wilson? This has the potential to be a shootout, a high-scoring ball game. Jayden Daniels is going to have to bring his A-game.”

Brian Kelly on Jayden Daniels preparation: ‘Exactly where we wanted it to be’

Jayden Daniels is exactly where he wants to be ahead of the 2023 season according to Brian Kelly.

“We’ve seen his growth off the field in terms of his work in the community, his ability to lead. He has been named a captain,” Kelly said during Wednesday’s SEC teleconference. “He’s developed in a manner that, when you see his work in practice, you see a more complete quarterback. And those are the things that we’re mapping out. He’s stronger physically, he has put on the right weight. He’s healthy in all those areas.”

“Now, it’s about flipping that switch and going from all this preparation to performance. And my experience tells me if you’ve prepared the right way in all of those facets? The performance kind of takes care of itself. So now it’s just a matter of waiting for that opportunity and then taking advantage of it.”

Daniels finished his first season with the Tigers having thrown for 2,913 yards, 17 touchdowns and three interceptions on a 68.6% completion percentage. He also contributed 885 rushing yards and 11 more touchdowns on the ground.