Paul Finebaum shares stance on Jayden Daniels winning Heisman despite LSU's record

LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels won the Heisman over the weekend, beating out fellow finalists Michael Penix Jr., Bo Nix and Marvin Harrison Jr.

Daniels put up incredible stats all year long, but some argued that he should not have won the Heisman due to the fact that the Tigers lost three games and were not one of the best teams in the country.

ESPN college football analyst Paul Finebaum joined McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning on Monday and shared his thoughts on Jayden Daniels winning the Heisman, despite LSU finishing 9-3.

“No, not at all,” Finebaum said when asked if he had an issue with Daniels winning the Heisman, despite his team not being in the national title picture.

“I voted for Johnny Manziel. I voted for other players in the past.”

Daniels led the nation in total offense, averaging 412.2 yards per game — which was 64 more than the second-highest average. He threw for 3,812 yards, rushed for 1,134 and had 50 total touchdowns — 40 passing and 10 rushing. That made him the first quarterback to pass for 3,000 yards and rush for 1,000 yards since Jalen Hurts did so.

Finebaum believes that without a doubt he deserved to win the award.

“I think ultimately he won for a lot of reasons,” Finebaum said. “He put up unbelievable numbers. He also had one of the truly memorable seasons we’ve ever seen.”

Brian Kelly reacts to Jayden Daniels winning the Heisman Trophy

Jayden Daniels became the second LSU player to win the Heisman in five years, joining former Tigers QB Joe Burrow.

He also became the first Heisman winner that LSU head coach Brian Kelly has produced.

Kelly was asked for his instant reaction to Daniels being voted the winner, once again talking about how special his quarterback is. He praised Daniels not just for his play on the field, but also for the man he is off of it.

“I’m just so thrilled that I can see a young man develop like this is such a very short period of time,” Kelly said via ESPN’s Holly Rowe. “The football is amazing, right? That’s how you win this. But off the field, his leadership, what he’s done to touch this program and the state of Louisiana — they’re probably celebrating just as much in Louisiana as they are a championship. It’s emotional.”

Daniels is the third-ever Heisman Trophy winner produced by LSU. 

Billy Cannon was the first, dating back to 1959.