LSU's Daniels, Nabers and Thomas have CFB's top stats

LSU enters the bye week at 6-2 overall and 4-1 in SEC play, and it’s been the offense that’s dominated the headlines as the Tigers gear up for November’s matchup with Alabama.

LSU leads the NCAA in total offense with 4,423 yards on the season, and no other team has hit the 4,000-yard mark.

The Tigers rank No. 1 nationally in yards per game (553), yards per play (8.09), points (379), points per game (47.4), total touchdowns (49) and passing touchdowns (26).

LSU is also second nationally in rushing touchdowns (22), trailing only a run-heavy Air Force team that has two more total rushing touchdowns (24) on 110 more rushing attempts. And it hasn’t been just on the legs of Daniels, but a backfield that’s turned to a number of options beyond starter Logan Diggs, who now ranks No. 3 in the SEC in rushing yards this season (611).

Quarterback Jayden Daniels, who now carries the third-best odds to win the Heisman Trophy, has paced the offense, and wide receivers Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. have proven to be two of college football’s best weapons.

Here’s a closer look at where each of the three stand vs. the rest of the NCAA as LSU’s offense continues to tear through the 2023 season.

QB Jayden Daniels – The NCAA’s Total Yards Leader (and more)

LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels has put together a strong case for not just college football’s best quarterback, but also best player.

Daniels leads the NCAA in yards per game (386.8), and he’s the first player to eclipse the 3,000-yard mark this season. Daniels averages 9.85 yards per play, which ranks No. 1 nationally.

The production from Daniels in the passing game, most notably the progression he’s made on deep balls, has led to even more head-turning numbers. Daniels has more passing touchdowns (25) than anyone in college football, and his 204.32 QB rating is the best in the nation, as is his average yards per attempt (11.5).

With 2,573 passing yards, Daniels sits just three yards behind Washington’s Michael Penix for most passing yards in the NCAA. While Daniels is carrying the third-best odds to win the Heisman Trophy, and Penix is carrying the second-best odds, LSU’s starting quarterback has not just done it with his arm, but also his legs. With 521 rushing yards in eight games, only three FBS quarterbacks have more rushing yards than Daniels. He’s now tied with USC’s Caleb Williams for most combined touchdowns passing and rushing with 30.

The Tigers are on bye, then head to Tuscaloosa for the final road contest of the regular season. If Daniels shines and LSU knocks off the Tide, he could become the new frontrunner to win the Heisman Trophy despite the Tigers carrying a pair of losses.

LSU WR Malik Nabers – The NCAA’s Receiving Yards Leader

Malik Nabers is putting on a show this season, and he’s inching closer to LSU history.

After eclipsing the 1,000-yard mark in 14 games as a sophomore, the Louisiana native has torched defenses to the tune of 981 yards in eight games this season. There’s also been multiple blowout wins against the likes of Grambling State and Army when Nabers didn’t see much action after halftime.

No matter, Nabers ranks No. 1 in the NCAA in receiving yards and yards per game (122.6).

He’s also just 19 yards away from becoming the second player in LSU program history to have back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons. Prior to 2023, the lone player to achieve the feat was Josh Reed in the 2000 and 2001 seasons.

Nabers also has the third-most receiving touchdowns in the NCAA, and his nine scores in eight games trail only one person in the SEC: his own teammate.

LSU WR Brian Thomas Jr. – The NCAA’s Receiving Touchdowns Leader

While Malik Nabers has been excellent this season, Brian Thomas Jr. has matched him each step of the way.

Thomas, who is also a junior after signing with LSU in the same 2021 class as Nabers, leads the NCAA in receiving touchdowns (11) after hauling in two scores on three catches in a 62-0 win over Army on Saturday.

It gives LSU the NCAA’s leader in passing touchdowns in Jayden Daniels, receiving yards in Malik Nabers and receiving touchdowns in Thomas.

The former Walker High star’s 91.5 yards per game ranks top three in the SEC and Top 15 nationally. With 42 catches for 732 yards, Thomas also ranks inside the Top 10 in the NCAA in receiving yards.

Both Thomas and Nabers are on pace to eclipse 1,000-plus receiving yards during the regular season.