LSU Quarterback Jayden Daniels Wins Heisman Trophy
LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels overcame being outside the playoff race with a prolific season that Heisman Trophy voters could not ignore.
Daniels won the Heisman Trophy on Saturday night, becoming the first player since 2016 to win college football's most prestigious player of the year award as part of a team that did not play for a conference championship.
The fifth-year player, who transferred from Arizona State to LSU in 2022, received 503 first-place votes and 2,029 points.
"This is a dream come true," Daniels started his acceptance speech.
Washington's Michael Penix Jr. was the the runner-up with 292 first-place votes and 1,701 points and Oregon's Bo Nix was third (51, 885), putting transfer quarterbacks in each of the top three spots. Ohio State receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. finished fourth (20, 352).
Daniels, who turns 23 on Dec. 18, won AP Player of the Year earlier this week.
Daniels is the fifth quarterback in the last seven seasons to win the Heisman after transferring, joining former LSU star Joe Burrow in 2019 and USC's Caleb Williams last year.
"I want to thank all my teammates, from Arizona State to LSU," Daniels said. "You're my brothers. You work so hard every day, inspiring me to be my best."
Joe Burrow is LSU's third Heisman winner, joining running back Billy Cannon in 1959.
Burrow led LSU to a national championship, while Cannon's team finished No. 3 in the country.
Daniels' Tigers (9-3) fell out of the championship race with two early losses, but he was not at fault.
"I really wish I could have brought you back another championship," Daniels expressed his gratitude to the LSU fans.
Throughout the season, Daniels powered LSU's offense with his impressive passing and running skills. He ended the regular season with 3,812 passing yards, 1,134 rushing yards, and a total of 50 touchdowns in 12 games. Daniels leads the nation in total offense, averaging 412 yards per game and an incredible 10.71 yards per play.
LSU, ranked No. 13, will face Wisconsin in the ReliaQuest Bowl on Jan. 1, but Daniels has not yet made a decision on whether he will play.
Lamar Jackson of Louisville was the last player to win the Heisman on a team that lost three games and did not play for a championship, but Daniels' performance surpassed his.
Despite Daniels' impressive performance of 382 yards and three touchdowns, LSU was eliminated from the Southeastern Conference race after losing to Alabama in early November.
Daniels Shines in College Football, Puts Heisman in Sight
Despite falling out of the playoff picture, quarterback Daniels continues to impress with his performance on the field. In a game against Florida, he made history by becoming the first major college football player to achieve 350 yards passing and 200 yards rushing, totaling an impressive 606 yards against the Gators.
During the game in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Daniels' teammates encouraged him to strike a Heisman pose, and it was after this standout performance that he started to believe winning the Heisman Trophy could become a reality.
Daniels' growth and development throughout this season have been remarkable. Starting his career at Arizona State, he was a highly regarded four-star recruit from Southern California under former coach Herman Edwards. While he showed promise, his performance was inconsistent. Seeking a fresh start due to an NCAA investigation at Arizona State, Daniels transferred to LSU to play under coach Brian Kelly.
Last year, Daniels led the Tigers to an SEC West title, and when he made the decision to return for a fifth season of college football, it was evident that he could be a contender for the Heisman Trophy.
Despite his team not receiving much attention towards the end of the season, LSU ran an aggressive campaign to promote Daniels as a Heisman candidate, ultimately dominating the conversation.
As the season concluded, Daniels and the Tigers faced Texas A&M on rivalry weekend, while other quarterbacks like Nix, Penix, and Harrison competed in high-stakes games with playoff implications.
Daniels Emerges as Champion in Pac-12 Title Game
Daniels emerged as the victor in the highly anticipated Pac-12 title game, where Nix and Penix faced off in a thrilling showdown.
Both players showcased their skills in a dramatic contest that determined a spot in the playoffs. However, similar to the opposing defenses, neither Nix nor Penix could catch up to Daniels.
