LSU football officially announces big-time transfer commitment

Shortly after a report from ESPN’s Pete Thamel, the LSU Tigers officially announced their new transfer quarterback, Jayden Daniels. He will add to an already stacked position room, with a high-level competition for the starting role surely about to take place throughout the spring and early fall.

LSU head coach Brian Kelly released a statement regarding Daniels making his transfer to the Bayou Bengals official on Sunday. He said the former Arizona State quarterback will help the Tigers work toward their goal of winning a national championship.

“Jayden is an outstanding player who will make our quarterback room even stronger,” Kelly said. “He’s a playmaker with a strong arm and the ability to make plays with his feet. We are excited to welcome Jayden to our program as we continue to build a roster of student-athletes who will compete for championships on the field and work just as hard in the classroom to earn their degree.”

According to the On3 transfer rankings, Daniels ranked as the No. 14 quarterback in the cycle. He was one of two players at the position uncommitted, with former USC Trojans and Georgia Bulldogs signal-caller J.T. Daniels being the only one remaining. LSU lost the No. 9 ranked quarterback earlier in the year, with Max Johnson heading to SEC West rival, Texas A&M.

Daniels was the first true freshman starting quarterback in the history of Arizona State, throwing for 2,943 yards, 17 touchdowns, and two interceptions. He is a threat on the ground as well, rushing for 355 rushing yards and three touchdowns as the Sun Devils went 8-5 and beat Florida State in the Sun Bowl.

During the 2021 season, Daniels had 2,380 yards and 10 touchdowns in the air and added 710 yards and six touchdowns in the run game. Arizona State once again went 8-5 but due to some off-the-field issues, a lot of the coaching staff left Tempe.

Daniels will be joining a crowded quarterback room with LSU, as three other guys will go into the 2022 season hoping to become the starter. Myles Brennan, who previously withdrew his name from the transfer portal, and Garrett Nussmeier were already on campus, while 2022 On3 Consensus four-star Walker Howard will be joining the program as well.

With a quarterback competition pending, LSU will open the season on Sept. 4 against the Florida State Seminoles in New Orleans. If Daniels is able to earn the starting role, he will be tasked with significantly improving the record in Year One under Kelly.