LSU QB Jayden Daniels set to return to practice

Will LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels – one of the Heisman Trophy frontrunners – suit up for a home matchup with Florida on Saturday?

On Monday, head coach Brian Kelly said Daniels was “day-to-day”, adding that he had made “improvements” and “some progress” after being knocked out of the Alabama game following a hit from Dallas Turner.

Daniels did not practice on Tuesday, but what will the remainder of the game week’s preparations hold for the veteran?

On Wednesday’s SEC Coaches Teleconference, Kelly provided a midweek update on the status of the team’s starter.

“He worked out this morning and it appeared that workout went well, which is the last stage before he’s cleared for non-contact practice,” Kelly said. “We expect him to practice today. If all things go well today, he will be cleared for contact on Thursday.”

Kelly confirmed Daniels has been in concussion protocol.

“I don’t know the medical bar for that, but I can tell you he has moved through these stages to the point where he worked out this morning, ran 20 miles per hour and today will be able to practice in a non-contact fashion,” Kelly said. “If he goes through today’s practice, then we decide what his preparation level vs. Nussmeier’s preparation level and make a determination on the starter.”

Daniels has started in all 23 of LSU’s games since he transferred in from Arizona State ahead of the 2022 season. He also started 29 games at ASU, becoming the first true freshman quarterback to start a season opener for the Sun Devils.

When Daniels left the game against the Tide, LSU backup quarterback Garrett Nussmeier finished the final 13 minutes, going 5-for-10 passing for 53 yards.

“I think every week has been important for (Nussmeier) in terms of preparation,” Kelly said. “Certainly we’re gonna make sure that he is ready. There’s some things we’ve got to clean up and he knows it. I would say that he clearly recognizes that there’s some things he got to do better during practice. He’s up for it and I’m sure he’s excited about it.”

Kickoff between LSU and Florida is set for 6:30 p.m. CT on Saturday in Baton Rouge.

“It’s an important game for us,” Kelly said. “It’s a rivalry game with two teams transitioning to build their programs back to national prominence. Our guys are working hard to put a complete game together. It’s a big matchup for us.”

Daniels still shined in LSU’s loss to Alabama

Daniels passed for 219 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 163 yards and a touchdown, keeping the Tigers in a tight game with the Tide that was still tied 28-28 with two minutes left in the third quarter.

While Daniels was unable to finish the game (concussion protocol), he still leads the NCAA in total yards averaged per game (386). His 2,792 passing yards rank Top 5 nationally, and his 27 passing touchdowns are second in the NCAA to only USC quarterback and reigning Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams (28).

With 684 rushing yards, only one quarterback in the FBS has more rushing yards in Boston College’s Thomas Castellanos (760).

Jayden Daniels and the Heisman Race

After another big weekend of college football games, LSU dropped to 6-3 on the season.

But with LSU still leading the NCAA in total offense at 545 yards per game, should Daniels still have a seat in New York for the Heisman Trophy presentation – and perhaps a shot to win it?

Five On3 experts gathered to give their weekly Heisman Trophy ballot following all the action from the weekend, and four are sticking with Daniels as the No. 1 name on the ballot.

Matt Zenitz

1. Jayden Daniels, LSU
2. Bo Nix, Oregon
3. Ollie Gordon, Oklahoma State

“It’s not Daniels’ fault that LSU’s defense has now given up more than 40 points in three separate games. In fact, if not for Daniels continuing to play like at a first-round draft pick type level, the Tigers could easily have five losses instead of three.”

Jesse Simonton

1. JJ McCarthy, Michigan
2. Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State
3. Jayden Daniels, LSU

“It feels gross to penalize Daniels after he had over 300 total yards in the first half against Alabama, and once again tried to single-handedly will the Tigers to a victory. But even though the stats are eye-popping, LSU now has three losses and Daniels is hurt, with his availability against Florida this weekend in question.”

Andy Staples

1. Jayden Daniels, LSU
2. Michael Penix Jr., Washington
3. Caleb Williams, USC

Hopefully Daniels will be back soon. He was carrying LSU against Alabama before his injury, and he still looks like the best player in the country this season.

Charles Power

1. Jayden Daniels, LSU
2. Michael Penix Jr., Washington
3. Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State

“Jayden Daniels looked like the best player in the nation before going into concussion protocol in Saturday’s game against Alabama. We’ll see if he can get back in action, but Daniels is having the best season of any quarterback nationally, both statically and with the eye test.”

JD PicKell

1. Jayden Daniels, LSU
2. Bo Nix, Oregon
3. Michael Penix Jr., Washington

“No. 1 I’ve still got Jayden Daniels. I know that he didn’t finish the game against Alabama, but just the way that he is still putting up stupid numbers, the way that he took over at multiple points during that game for LSU and kept them in it, I think with the way that he’s producing if he’s able to get back and if they’re able to finish strong, I think there’s a very real case for him to still win the Heisman Trophy kind of like Caleb Williams did last year without being on a winning team. Twenty-seven touchdown passes and he’s ran for six more on the ground. So 33 total touchdowns, only four interceptions. Dude is balling.”