Mike Denbrock explains Jayden Daniels' comfort in LSU offense

Life is pretty good for LSU offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock, who returns his star quarterback and eight total starters off an offense that was good enough to propel the Tigers to an SEC title game appearance in year one under Brian Kelly. With quarterback Jayden Daniels, the team’s top five rushers and its top receiver and tight end all back in the fol, Denbrock fields a familiar and talented group.

Getting players back is always nice, but especially at quarterback, where Daniels, like Denbrock, is also in year two of his time in Baton Rouge. Per the LSU OC, he’s just more comfortable in the offense this time around, which is allowing him to take more big chances as a passer.

“Yeah, I just think, you know, year two allows him a comfort level from a knowledge standpoint — from a knowledge of, not only offense but knowledge of personnel, where he feels like he can let it rip a little bit more,” said Denbrock at a recent press conference, noting that he’s giving the senior more freedom in that respect.

“And we continue to encourage him to do that more and more and more, and I think he’s taken it upon himself as much as anything to play that way and be aggressive and make sure that he’s given opportunities where they’re needed — and being smart with the football at the same time.”

It doesn’t hurt that Daniels has tremendous talent in the RB room and among his pass catchers that make his job much easier.

“But (Daniels) also understands that we’ve got some pretty dynamic people around him that need to have their hands on the football,” added Denbrock. “And he’s done a really good job of continuing to develop where that’s concerned.”

One reporter asked if the communication between Daniels and Denbrock has changed much, to which Denbrock responded that they’ve definitely learned to communicate in easier ways.

“I don’t know that it’s changed as far as I think what it is: it’s like anything else, right? The more familiar you are with one another, sometimes the less that needs to be said. And maybe it’s a look, maybe it’s a thumbs up instead of, you know, ‘hey, what the heck?’ for this, that, or the other thing. So it’s been a positive thing for sure.”

It’s smooth sailing for Jayden Daniels, Mike Denbrock and the LSU offense as fall camp gets underway.