BREAKING: Jayden Daniels returning to LSU over 2023 NFL Draft
LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels will return to the Tigers for next season instead of entering the 2023 NFL Draft, he announced on Twitter on Thursday.
“I am returning for the 2023 season to fulfill the goal of an LSU Tiger and bring our fans another championship,” Daniels wrote. “Now, let’s focus on getting this Citrus Bowl victory and securing out 10th win of this season to set up even more success.”
For the 2022 season, Daniels finished 254-of-371 for 2,774 yards, 16 touchdowns and three interceptions. On the ground, Daniels set LSU records with 180 carries for 818 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground.
Daniels was injured during LSU’s loss to Georgia in the SEC Championship game, but is expected to play against Purdue in the Citrus Bowl on Jan. 2.
“Yeah, he looked really good today. He’s been limited, but today was kind of his last test,” Kelly said earlier this month. “One of the things we like to do is put the quarterback in direct snap (formations), so he’s pushing off and driving back. It’s hard; when you’re in shotgun, you shuffle your feet and do you throw it. And that’s how you can get them back quickly when you’re in shotgun.
“But you put them in direct snap, and he’s gotta drive and use his weight and transfer in a seven-step drop. And then step up and move. Today, he went through that progression. I would say if we were playing tomorrow, he would be ready to play.”
Jayden Daniels ready to face Purdue in Citrus Bowl
On ESPN analyst Mel Kiper’s first edition of the big board, Daniels was the No. 8 draft-eligible quarterback. However, he now has the opportunity to move further up the board for 2024.
Prior to his transfer to LSU, Daniels accumulated 6,023 passing yards over three seasons. In the 2021 season, he had 10 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
Jayden Daniels was a four-star prospect coming out of Cajon (San Bernadino) High School in California. He was the No. 50 overall recruit in the 2019 signing class and the No. 3 quarterback, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.
The No. 17 LSU Tigers take on the Purdue Boilermakers in the Cheez-it Citrus Bowl on Jan. 2. According to the ESPN matchup predictor, the Tigers are favored by 68.4%.
