Jayden Daniels takes on challenges, opportunity at LSU

When he entered the transfer portal February 17, Jayden Daniels was seeking a new lease on his college football life.

The experienced quarterback played 29 games at Arizona State, throwing for 6,025 yards with 32 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. A dangerous dual threat, Daniels manged 710 yards and six scores on the ground last season alone, highlighted by a 51-yard scamper against Stanford.

During his freshman campaign in Tempe, the 6-foot-3, 180 pounder outdueled Oregon’s Justin Herbert, now a star with the Los Angeles Chargers, in a thrilling 31-28 Sun Devils’ victory. Daniels was 22 of 32 for 408 yards and three touchdowns while the eventual high first round pick went 20 of 36 for 304 yards with two scores and a pair of interceptions.

PAC-12 observers were not surprised by his early success. Daniels was a top-two rated dual threat nationally in the 2019 recruiting class. In 53 games at Cajon High School in San Bernadino (Calif.), he threw for 14,007 yards, 170 touchdowns and 25 interceptionss, completing 66.3% of his throws plus running for 3,645 more yards and 41 scores.

Time became tough at Arizona State, and Daniels looked for a fresh start. He arrived at LSU in early March ready to compete for the starting QB position.

“I always enjoyed my time at Arizona State,” Daniels explained, “I love Coach Herman (Edwards), all the guys there, but for my career I decided to go somewhere else and reach untapped potential. Coming to LSU I get to showcase my skills.”

It doesn’t hurt that the SEC receives the greatest of attention, even over other top FBS leagues. In particular, late start times out west hurt overall exposure of the PAC-12’s product .

“A lot of people didn’t get to see our games, but you come here, compete at the highest level and all these weapons, all of these resources,” Daniels raved.

The three-year starter sounds ready for a greater challenge and the support LSU can provide to reach new goals.

“My decision to enter the transfer portal was the best move for me. The goals that I want to accomplish. I showed interest in them, they showed interest in me. We talked on the phone. I had a chance to come play at the highest level, to help a powerhouse win another national championship. Coach Kelly is the most winningest coach in Notre Dame history. He knows how to win. He knows how to get his teams where they need to be.”

First-year Tigers coach Brian Kelly already had three talented quarterbacks on his roster before accepting Daniels into the fold. The transfer provides a different element that Myles Brennan, Garrett Nussmeier and Walker Howard do not. However, Kelly likes the total package.

“I think he brings more than extending plays, actually. He was in an offensive structure and system which was really built towards ball control this past season, playing to a very good defense,” Kelly explained. “We think there’s a lot that has not been tapped into with his ability to be a dual threat QB. He’s got arm talent, he’s got a high IQ and he can run the football.”

Daniels is well aware the LSU’s quarterback room is loaded. That means the first spot of the depth chart is up for grabs.

“Coach Kelly was transparent. The best players are going to play. Coach Kelly wasn’t guaranteeing me anything. He was transparent. I don’t want anything handed to me. I felt this was the best spot for me,” Daniels said.

LSU defensive line coach Jamar Cain spent the the 2019 football season in the same role with the Sun Devils. He built a relationship with Daniels, who later believed he could trust a former assistant coach and a new head coach in Baton Rouge.

“(Cain) was one of my coaches my freshman year. That trust I had in him (meant) I had an opportunity to come here and play, if I do the correct things. They weren’t trying to sell me on a dream. They made me feel comfortable with my decision.”

Former NFL scout Daniel Kelly, who worked for the New York Jets under Bill Parcells and Bill Belichick, heaped bouquets of praise on Daniels in his Draft Diamonds report back on Nov. 17, 2021:

“Daniels can actually make a defender miss in the open field. 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan would have looked like a genius had he waited a year and selected Daniels instead of (Trey) Lance. Daniels could have come to San Francisco and actually run that two QB system entrusted to Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo.”

“If I am the GM of the Arizona Cardinals or the Philadelphia Eagles, I am doing everything I can to select Daniels in the 3rd round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Daniels can plug in behind Kyler Murray or Jalen Hurts and either of those teams would be set. Give me Daniels any day of the week over QB’s Kenny Pickett or Sam Howell.”

Daniels obviously did not enter this year’s draft but he has some believers out there when it comes to his pro potential. Other NFL scouts have made comparisons to Robert Griffin III or Randall Cunningham.

For now, the new LSU quarterback has plenty of work to do.

“I need to focus on my footwork, just building chemistry with the guys. I arrived late before spring ball. That leadership role, footwork and going through progressions.”

Daniels has also praised new offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock for his work previously at Cincinnati. He understands that despite his previous success at Arizona State, this is a new environment with a new offense, different teammates and a schedule that is not for the faint of heart. It is going to be an ongoing challenge.

“They are going to play the best QB. If it’s me or Myles or Nuss, they’re going to play the best QB. Who is the best fit? The one who is the best fit for their offense, that scheme. They told me that they wanted to have an explosive offense, one of the top scoring offenses in the country. In order to do that in the SEC, you’ve got to have good QB play. At the end of the day it’s not about me. They are going to play the best QB.”

Make no mistake. Daniels believes the best option is him.

“My goal is to start,” Daniels continued. “I’m just going to attack each day with the opportunity to be the best that I can, put my best foot forward. If it’s not me, I do have another year. But if it’s me, I’m going to put myself in the best position to help this team go after a national championship.”

The starter may not be named until well into fall camp. Nothing is set in stone.

“Each has different traits and characteristics,” Kelly analyzed. “They all can play here. We will have some difficult choices to make. Each one has different characteristics. Each guy can do things differently. We will put together the offense to highlight those skills. It will be our job to get the best out of them and tailor the offense accordingly to what their skill set is.”

Uptempo practices mean more reps and chances to test the combatants behind center.

“We want to see who is game ready in our offensive scheme. We wanted to put them in pressure situations. We clearly want to see how they are progressing. Is the ball coming out on time? Are they able to handle pressure? We want to see how they check protections, slide the protections, know where the hot (receivers) are. They’ll be prepared for that,” guaranteed Kelly.

That leaves litle time for Daniels to try to fit into any molds or try to be something or someone he thinks others want him to be.

“I just want to be myself. You start gaining respect from others when you work hard. I just want to be myself and don’t be someone I’m not. I came here for my career. It’s a fresh start. This is what I wanted to accomplish in my life. It’s my football career just moving forward.”

It’s well chronicled that his weight is below where a quarterback’s should be. At 180 pounds, Daniels understands he will need to get bigger and stronger to compete in the SEC. The training staff is working with him.

“I’m getting there, building habits. I’m trying to get to 200 pounds. It’s a lot of good food here,” he stated with a hearty laugh.

Needless-to-say, Daniels has a full plate right now in Baton Rouge.