LSU QB Jayden Daniels wins 2023 Heisman Trophy

It’s not a stretch to say Jayden Daniels was the most electric playmaker in college football this year. His ability to make plays with both his arm and his legs made him a nightmare for opposing defenses as he led LSU’s high-powered offense.

It also won him the Heisman Trophy.

Daniels became the second LSU player in four years to win the Heisman Saturday night, beating out the rest of the field for the honor. He joins Joe Burrow as the only Tigers quarterbacks to win the Heisman thanks to his dual-threat ability.

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 since Jalen Hurts did so.

Friday night, Daniels won the Davey O’Brien Award as the nation’s top quarterback. The only question left was if he’d wind up bringing home the Heisman, and he previously spoke about that, hoping he can be “next.”

“It would mean a lot,” Daniels told ESPN’s Kris Budden after LSU defeated 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.”

A look at Jayden Daniels’ journey from Tempe to Baton Rouge to the Heisman Trophy

Daniels’ journey to the Heisman was a long and winding road. He started his career at Arizona State and spent three years under then-coach Herm Edwards. He threw for more than 6,000 yards and 32 touchdowns during that span, but after the 2021 season, entered the transfer portal. That’s when he made his way to LSU as Brian Kelly took over the program.

Daniels’ first year with the Tigers was impressive as he threw for 2,913 yards and 17 touchdowns while also adding 885 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground. But he found a new gear in 2023, using his legs more to help LSU become the nation’s top offense.

Saturday night, Daniels’ college career likely came to a fitting end as he hoisted the Heisman Trophy. Even with so many changes over the last few years, he wouldn’t change a thing.

“I wouldn’t trade it for the world,” Daniels said after he won the Davey O’Brien Award. “Everything I’ve been through — the good and the bad, the highs and the lows. You’ve got to fight through adversity as a quarterback and as a human being. I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.”