LSU Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels entered the 2023 college football season with plenty of expectations, including having the second-highest Heisman odds in the preseason after leading the team to the SEC Championship Game last season. And after a rough outing to start the season against the Florida State Seminoles, Daniels has rebounded in back-to-back performances, throwing for almost 700 yards and seven touchdowns to zero interceptions.
Jayden Daniels Surges NFL Draft Stock
Daniels did not make PFN’s Top 10 Quarterbacks in the 2024 NFL Draft list this week, narrowly getting beaten out by Washington State’s Cameron Ward and Kansas’ Jalon Daniels. Daniels is currently projected as a Day 3 quarterback option in the upcoming NFL Draft.
Per PFN’s Dalton Miller, Daniels’ inconsistent accuracy and moderate velocity dropped his stock behind some of the more talented quarterbacks in this draft class. After a disappointing game against Florida State, Daniels has strung together two strong outings in a row to bounce back his draft stock.
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Daniels and wide receiver Malik Nabers could not be stopped Saturday when they opened up SEC conference play against Mississippi State. Daniels dismantled the Bulldogs’ defense Saturday to the tune of 361 yards and two touchdowns, finishing the game 30 of 34 passing.
The placement of this ball by Jayden Daniels is 💰 pic.twitter.com/Nc1QbIYlOA
— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) September 16, 2023
So far today, Malik Nabers has:
10 receptions
188 yards
2 touchdownsIn the first half. 🤯🤯pic.twitter.com/r8W7beS3rK
— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) September 16, 2023
Daniels demonstrated great touch and placement on his downfield throws, something many had been wanting to see him do more of this season. His aggressiveness downfield and accuracy helped LSU shred the Bulldogs in a dominant 41-14 win that wasn’t as close as the final score would indicate.
In the process, Daniels set an LSU record for completion percentage in a single game at 88.1%. He also showed off his mobility and creativity to escape pressure numerous times against Mississippi State, escaping a few close sacks. Daniels also led LSU in rushing yards on the day.
The Tigers have five games left on their schedule before their big rivalry game against the Alabama Crimson Tide, which is plenty of time for Daniels to continue to string together strong performances before the biggest game on the schedule.
If Daniels can keep showing off the downfield shots and his accuracy remains pinpoint, it’s hard to imagine him not making a strong bid to be one of the top quarterbacks drafted in the 2024 NFL Draft.