Jayden Daniels reveals why he returned to LSU, waited on NFL Draft

Jayden Daniels has big aspirations for his final season at LSU. This was his top priority in terms of football, rather than declaring for the 2023 NFL Draft.

The fifth-year senior could certainly boost his stock to first-round pick status if he has the best year of his career. Heck, he has Heisman Trophy aspirations and that worked out well for a recent LSU quarterback (hello Joe Burrow).

Daniels opened up on his decision throughout the offseason and what ultimately led him back to LSU.

“I had the opportunity to declare for the draft,” Daniels said via PFF. “For me, I just felt like I had some unfinished business. I just saw what we can be this upcoming year. Being able to go out there, win a national championship. That’s the biggest thing for me. I want to win the championship before my time in college is done.

“Now we’re here in Year 2, Coach Kelly gives all of the reins to me to go out there and be a leader every day. He told me that this is my team. In order to win a national championship, it has to be a player-led team. I feel like we have that.” 

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.

Throughout the course of his career with Arizona State and LSU, Daniels has 8,938 yards, 49 touchdowns, 16 interceptions, a 64.5% completion percentage, 2,173 rushing yards and 24 rushing touchdowns.

The Heisman Trophy is an individual honor, but it certainly can’t happen without a great team. If Daniels won the award, LSU must be doing something right.

“I would be lying if I said it wasn’t on my mind,” Daniels said. “Growing up, I always wanted to win the Heisman. My dad and I always talked about it. Being able to accomplish that goal would be an honor for me.”

While speaking to WBRZ Sports, head coach Brian Kelly explained just how Daniels progressed since last season.

“Just another year in the program,” Kelly said. “Just understanding nutrition, understanding how to take care of himself. Obviously, bigger, stronger in a weight training program that he wasn’t familiar with. So, all those things just, you know, going into year two these are things that you should start to see.”