Brian Kelly addresses Jayden Daniels' looming decision on bowl game

Jayden Daniels has yet to decide if he’ll play in LSU’s ReliaQuest Bowl matchup against Wisconsin, according to head coach Brian Kelly.

The Heisman Trophy finalist had the season of a lifetime and fans would love to see him play one more to put on a show. However, there is the risk of injury ahead of the NFL Draft in what is largely considered a meaningless game in the grand scheme of things.

So for now, Kelly is only going to support his quarterback and give him the tools to make the decision best for him.

“He has not (made a decision yet),” Kelly said. “He unfortunately had a death in the family and was gone for a few days. I spoke with him yesterday. He clearly knows the pros and the cons of this decision and I do too, right? Who wouldn’t want him to play? I mean, everybody would love to see Jayden Daniels play one last time. 

“I’m a fan. I’m his coach, but I’m a fan of Jayden Daniels, but he’s got to make a decision and clearly I see both sides of it. So, we’ll provide him with all the things necessary for him to make an informed decision. But he hasn’t got to that level yet.”

This season, Daniels has 3,812 yards, 40 touchdowns, four interceptions, 72.2% completion percentage, 1,134 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns.

As a member of the Class of 2019, Daniels was a four-star recruit out of San Bernardino (Calif.) Cajon, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 7 overall prospect in the state, the No. 3 quarterback in the class and the No. 50 overall prospect in the class.

“It would mean a lot,” Daniels told ESPN’s Kris Budden after the game against Texas A&M. “Growing up watching college football for all those years, 22 years of my life, wanted to be like those guys. RGIII, Cam Newton, Lamar Jackson. Seeing those guys win the Heisman, hopefully I can be next.”

An Arizona State transfer, he has quickly become royalty for the LSU faithful.

“It’s meant the world. It’s meant a lot for me,” Daniels said. “Honestly just coming here, not knowing what I was going to get myself into. Now my last game in Death Valley, it means a lot. Lot of mixed emotions, but I’m happy to go out with this group of guys.”