Jayden Daniels reveals his ultimate goal for LSU in 2023

LSU‘s breakout season featuring Jayden Daniels as QB1 in 2022 was the jolt of excitement needed in the LSU football program following two seasons of disappointment. The Tigers’ 10-win season has bred higher expectations for LSU in 2023 — and Daniels is embracing them in stride.

The Tigers star quarterback spoke to reporters at the Manning Passing Academy last month, revealing his ultimate goal for the upcoming college football season, confident in who he has suiting up with him on the field.

“Our main core of leaders, of top talent are all coming back — so why not come back and try to win a national championship?”

2022 was Daniels’ — and head coach Brian Kelly’s — first season in Baton Rouge, but it did not disappoint. LSU finished the season 10-4, made the SEC Championship game and won the Citrus Bowl to round out what ended up being a major turnaround for a Tigers squad that little luck in the win column after winning the 2019 National Championship.

“The growth in not only me, but my whole team from Game 1 to Game 14. It was a long season and you learn a lot about yourself throughout. Going out there and just seeing what we can get better on, what we can improve on during the season,” Daniels said. “We knew what we had coming back on offense. Now, our offensive line is coming back, receivers coming back, running backs — we weren’t really missing anybody.”

While everyone around him fits into their respective roles, none are more important than the one Daniels will play for the Tigers.

Daniels finished his first season at LSU with 2,913 yards, 17 touchdowns, three interceptions, a 68.6% completion percentage, 885 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns — and is only expected to build on that in 2023.

His dynamic play has put him in the preseason conversation as a Heisman Trophy hopeful heading into the season. Daniels has previously spoke on the potential of him winning college football’s top individual prize, saying that he “would be lying if I said it wasn’t on my mind,” but he certainly won’t be able to accomplish that feat without oodles of talent surrounding him.

That effort begins when LSU kicks off its 2023 season against Florida State in Orlando on Sept. 3. FSU took last year’s victory home in a 24-23 thriller, and Daniels and company will look to exact revenge against the Seminoles and get their season off to a hot start.