Paul Finebaum reveals why LSU's Jayden Daniels has a 'disadvantage' vs. fellow Heisman contenders

With only one week left in the regular season, the Heisman Trophy race is becoming more clear. One of the top players in that race is clearly Jayden Daniels, the quarterback of the LSU Tigers.

During an appearance on First Take, Paul Finebaum argued that Daniels is the best player in the country and deserving of that kind of recognition. However, he also admitted that other players like Bo Nix are going to have better opportunities to stand out.

“I think Jayden Daniels is the best player in the country,” Paul Finebaum said. “If he was playing on a team with one or two less losses, it would already be over. I mean, nobody has ever put up numbers like this.”

Through 11 games this season, Jayden Daniels has been dominant. He’s completed 72.6 percent of passes for 3,577 yards. He also has 36 touchdown passes to only four interceptions. On top of that, he’s rushed for 1,014 yards and 10 touchdowns.

“I talked to Brian Kelly yesterday and listen, of course, he’s supporting his player, but he said, ‘I’ve never seen anything like it.’ Quite frankly, I haven’t either.”

However, Paul Finebaum did explain that Jayden Daniels has a disadvantage compared to other Heisman contenders. The Tigers are 8-3 and out of contention in the SEC. That means, at this point, other Heisman contenders who are still in contention are going to get more attention because they’re playing in bigger games.

“He’s not off-Broadway at LSU, but they’re playing in a game this Saturday up against Ohio State and Michigan. People are not going to be paying enough attention. Then, he won’t be playing the next week when Bo Nix will be playing. So, I think that’s the disadvantage for him but he is the best player in the country.”

The Heisman Trophy is supposed to go to college football’s most outstanding player, regardless of position. The reality is that it almost always goes to a quarterback on a contending team. LSU isn’t that and it could easily hurt Daniels.

Jayden Daniels explains if he thought this level of success was possible

Jayden Daniels came to LSU as a transfer from Arizona State at the same time that head coach Brian Kelly got to LSU. It was a move Daniels made because of what was possible to accomplish in Baton Rouge but he’s even surprised himself with the position he’s now in.

“I would be lying if I said I did [believe this was possible]. I believed that I could come here and make an impact. But just making an impact to this magnitude, being in the Heisman conversation, and stuff like that? That’s something I dreamt about. For me? It was kind of just coming here, trying to get a fresh start. Just to make a name for myself from where I was at at Arizona State. Now, coming to LSU? Just to go out there and find the joy in football again,” Daniels said.

“It’s really nothing but God. It’s God’s plan, honestly – his timing with everything. I had to go put the work in. Coming back this offseason, I put the work in day in and day out. You can’t cheat the game of football. You’ve really got to go out there and just give it your all. Just lock in for a couple months and your life could change.”