What a year it’s been for quarterback Jayden Daniels. After transferring to LSU ahead of the 2022 season, there was no guarantee the former five-star would even start. However, two years later, he’s a Heisman Trophy winner and will now head off to the 2024 NFL draft. When asked about the star signal caller prior to the ReliaQuest Bowl victory over Wisconsin, coach Brian Kelly discussed him as an NFL prospect.
Coach Brian Kelly spoke on quarterback Jayden Daniels and what the NFL can expect
In just two years with the program, LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels is safely in the discussion as one of the best quarterbacks to ever wear the purple and gold. Having entered the college ranks as a five-star, expectations were high, but slowly decreased after three solid seasons at Arizona State.
In his time as a Sun Devil, he recorded a total of 7,312 yards and 45 touchdowns. While his stats were decent all-around, a decision to transfer to Baton Rouge to play for the Tigers would change things in a major way. Looking back, it might have been one of the best choices he could have made for his career.
In just two seasons with LSU, the star quarterback would go on to total 8,744 yards and 78 touchdowns, catapulting himself into the discussion of all-time best Tigers. Now, after winning the Heisman Trophy in 2023, and leading his team to a second 10-win season in a row, he’s heading to the NFL, and if you ask coach Brian Kelly, you’d be silly not to want him as the face of your franchise.
“I’d love to play with Jayden Daniels on my team. Who wouldn’t? He’s fun to watch,” the Tiger head coach said prior to the LSU ReliaQuest Bowl victory vs. Wisconsin.
In their two years together in Baton Rouge, coach Kelly and Daniels helped lead the Tigers to 20 total wins, including a trip to the SEC Championship last season.
“Daniels is clearly, in my opinion, the best quarterback in the country,” coach Brian Kelly continued. “He has developed the ability to push the ball down the field like no one that I’ve coached. His quarterback savvy, his ability to manage all protections, he calls everything at the line of scrimmage, gets us in the right plays – he’s gonna walk into the building and he’s gonna command the respect of a building.
“And look, these are professionals. You can’t walk in there and not command the respect of a building, and that’s what he’ll do. And certainly, his play showed itself on film, but what they don’t know about him is that he’s a leader and he’ll command the respect of the entire room.”
Daniels ranks among the very best NFL prospects in the country
Coach Brian Kelly clearly isn’t the only one who views quarterback Jayden Daniels as a future NFL star. After his performance this past season, he’s not only jumped into the conversation of a first round pick, but one of the top picks overall.
According to PFF, Jayden Daniels is the No. 11 prospect for the 2024 NFL draft, as well as the No. 3 quarterback, behind Drake Maye (North Carolina) and Caleb Williams (USC).
While there’s no guarantee of where he’s likely to end up, it’s notable to mention that PFF also had the former five-star being drafted third overall to the New England Patriots in their latest mock draft.
The 2024 NFL draft will begin on Thursday, April 25 at 7:00 p.m. CST, and will continue through Satuday, April 27. The event will be hosted in Detroit and you’ll be able to watch live on ESPN.
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