Jayden Daniels discusses differences in LSU offense from last year to now

The first thing that came to Jayden Daniels‘ mind when considering the difference between the LSU offense right now in 2023 vs. what they fielded a year ago: Explosive plays. He feels the Tigers are much more adept at gashing opponents for chunk gains and scores than in 2022.

And the reasons for that end result are myriad, Daniels explained on the “Paul Finebaum Show” on Wednesday. In 2022, there was a lot of new in Baton Rouge as the head coach, coordinators and starting quarterback, were, among others, in their first year in town.

Now, it’s all comfortable and familiar, Daniels said.

“We have everybody coming back and everybody familiar with each other, familiar with the staff. It helped out a lot this offseason and on Saturdays, too,” Daniels said.

The net result is an offense that Daniels feels is very dangerous when it has the ball.

“Just the explosive plays we’re able to create within the offense. Another year in the system helps out a lot. We obviously — we’re going out there and we’re excited to play, me being able to just throw the ball to the receivers and they can create explosive plays, be accurate and you know, just the running game that we have, the O-line camaraderie that we have,” Daniels said.

Daniels analyzed his running ability, too

Daniels has emerged as one of the Heisman Trophy front-runners, in part thanks to his ability to be a slippery but explosive runner when he takes off from the pocket.

Few teams have been able to get a real handle on Daniels, who just seems to have a knack for making defenders miss.

“I mean it’s hard to explain. I just, when I’m in it and the game is slowing up I see something,” Daniels said on Wednesday. “That’s something I’ve been doing since a young age, be able to use my legs and create explosive plays.”

Daniels has already run for 515 yards and four touchdowns, showcasing his elite running ability.

He leads the SEC quarterbacks in rushing, while he ranks fifth in the conference in rushing yardage regardless of player. Only four running backs currently rank ahead of him, including teammate Logan Diggs.

But it’s the sheer dazzling quality of Daniels’ runs that catches the eye.

“Sometimes I amaze myself with how I get out of things,” Daniels said. “Other times I try to, might do a little bit too much and might get away with it. I try to limit that, but sometimes I surprise myself on film with what I can do with my legs.”