How Jayden Daniels worked himself into Heisman winner, potential Top 5 pick

This year’s NFL Draft class is loaded with talent at the quarterback position, with each signal caller having a unique journey that led them to the position they’re now at ahead of Thursday’s draft.

LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels has one of the more unique career arcs, transferring to The Bayou after three seasons at Arizona State where he transformed from a solid SEC starter to this past season’s Heisman Trophy winner. An evolution that On3’s Cody Bellaire detailed on Tuesday with Andy Staples.

“What was the big switch?” Bellaire asked. “What happened with Jayden after the transfer that sort of turned him into this guy that we know or talking about now as a potential top-five pick? This is somebody whose first season as the starter was solid, he threw for nearly 3,000 yards, they went 10-4. So what happens that offseason between year one and year two at LSU?”

Daniels had solid production during the first four seasons of his college career, showing flashes of greatness with a handful of jaw-dropping plays with his arm and legs. But his most recent season jumps off the page after throwing for 3,812 yards and 40 touchdowns and rushing for 1,134 yards and 10 scores on the ground.

“They said it was his preparation and his commitment to learning that offense and connecting with his teammates that allowed him to reach that new level. First player in the building, last guy to leave, any chance he could get to throw to those guys he would. But he really committed to learning that offense backwards and forwards,” Bellaire explained.

Daniels isn’t the first quarterback to transfer to LSU and take a massive, Heisman-worthy leap in his second season in Baton Rouge. He followed in the footsteps of former No. 1 overall pick Joe Burrow. But according to Bellaire, developments in the Tiger’s performance innovation department may have been the difference in Daniels breakout season.

“They brought in a team from Germany that had a VR flight simulator and essentially they brought it in and they’re like, ‘Hey can we make this like a football thing where he [Daniels] can like run through virtual reps that let him feel the speed of plays?’ And they made it happen,” Bellaire said.

“And I believe it was quoted, that it basically changed the game for him and it allowed him to see the game faster and I guess you can say it worked out. He ended up winning the Heisman and now he’s gonna be a top five pick in the draft. It’s amazing, like you said, if he doesn’t even get to LSU who knows where his career could be.”

It sounds like timing and technology played crucial roles in Daniels’ hard work paying off to the greatest degree. As the Heisman Trophy winner will now take his talents to the next level and likely hear his name early in the 2024 NFL Draft this Thursday.