Tag: Jayden Daniels

Mar 2, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Southern California quarterback Caleb Williams (QB14) during the 2024 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

QBs Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels headline NFL draft attendees

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Heisman Trophy-winning quarterbacks Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels are among the 13 prospects who have accepted an invitation to attend the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit.

Completing the quarterback contingent at the draft, set for April 25-27, is Drake Maye of North Carolina. Williams (Southern California), Daniels (LSU) and Maye should have a short wait to hear their names called, with all three expected to be taken within the first handful of picks.

Quarterback JJ McCarthy (Michigan), who has risen up the draft boards this spring and is in the running for a top-10 pick, won’t be on hand.

Four wide receivers also will be present in Detroit. Marvin Harrison Jr. (Ohio State), Malik Nabers (LSU) and Rome Odunze (Washington) all likely will be selected in the top half of the first round, with Brian Thomas Jr. (LSU) also in the mix.

The other offensive player confirmed for Detroit is offensive tackle J.C. Latham (Alabama).

On the defensive side of the ball, edge rushers Darius Robinson (Missouri), Laiatu Latu (UCLA) and Dallas Turner (Alabama) have said they will be there. Robinson grew up in suburban Detroit.

Cornerbacks Terrion Arnold (Alabama) and Quinyon Mitchell (Toledo) also accepted the NFL’s invitations.

The Chicago Bears have the No. 1 pick in the draft and are expected to select Williams, likely beginning a run on quarterbacks with the Washington Commanders and New England Patriots scheduled to follow the Bears.

–Field Level Media

Oct 15, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; A detailed view of the Chicago Bears helmet before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Bears want ‘historic haul’ for No. 1 draft pick

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Carolina Panthers paid dearly to land the No. 1 overall selection from the Chicago Bears in the 2023 NFL Draft — they used it on Alabama quarterback Bryce Young — and the price wound up including the No. 1 pick in April’s 2024 draft.

If someone is going to wrestle the No. 1 overall selection from the Bears this time around, the cost will be a “historic haul of draft picks and overall compensation,” NFL.com reported Saturday.

Should they keep the pick, the Bears could choose a quarterback, just three years after using the No. 11 overall selection of the 2021 draft on Justin Fields.

The Bears would have options at QB should they choose to trade Fields, who is 10-28 as a starter but showed improvement in 2023, and start fresh at the position. Choices include 2022 Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams of Southern California, 2023 winner Jayden Daniels of LSU and North Carolina’s Drake Maye.

The Bears also own the No. 9 pick in the draft.

“We are going to turn every stone to make sure that we are going to make a sound decision for our organization,” Bears general manager Ryan Poles told reporters in January. “I did think Justin got better. I think he can lead this team. But at the same time, there is a unique situation.”

Poles and the Bears’ evaluators will get a look at the quarterbacks at the NFL Scouting Combine, which begins late this month in Indianapolis, and at on-campus pro days.

In the meantime, Fields, 24, is expected to draw trade interest.

Fields missed four games last season due to injury and had a 5-8 record. Still, he threw for career highs in completion percentage (61.4) and yards (2,562) and added 16 touchdowns and a career-low nine interceptions. He engineered three game-winning drives.

He added 657 rushing yards and four touchdowns in 2023, a season after gaining 1,143 rushing yards and scoring eight times.

The draft is scheduled for April 25-27 in Detroit.

–Field Level Media

Dec 9, 2023; New York, New York, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels speaks to the media during a press conference in the Astor ballroom at the New York Marriott Marquis after winning the Heisman trophy. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

LSU QB, Heisman winner Jayden Daniels opts out of bowl

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Heisman Trophy-winning LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels is opting out of the Tigers’ bowl game to prepare for the NFL Draft, he announced Monday on social media.

“I want to say thank you to everyone who made this happen, but all great things must come to an end,” Daniels said in a video posted to X.

“I feel better about the state of the program with the quarterback moving forward. No matter what, I promise that won’t be the last time you all see this kid around, because this is my city and my second home.”

Daniels is ranked No. 12 among 2024 draft-eligible prospects by Field Level Media.

LSU (9-3) will face Wisconsin (7-5) in the ReliaQuest Bowl on New Year’s Day in Tampa, Fla.

In addition to winning the Heisman, Daniels was selected for two other major honors this year — the Walter Camp national player of the year award and the Davey O’Brien Award, given annually to the nation’s top quarterback.

Daniels, in his second season guiding the LSU offense after three years at Arizona State, racked up 3,812 passing yards, 40 touchdowns and just four interceptions in 12 games while rushing for 1,134 yards and 10 touchdowns while averaging 8.4 yards per carry.

“Transferring to LSU, it gave me a fresh start and a breath of fresh air. It gave me the joy of football back and I’m appreciative of it,” Daniels said in the social media video.

“Year one was not without bumps and bruises, but we made the best of it. I’m thankful to everyone who made it possible. Year two, we took it up a notch. While we did not accomplish our ultimate goal, we did lay the foundation for the path to success. While at the end of year two, I was able to bring in a sweet trophy.”

In his Heisman Trophy acceptance speech, Daniels spoke to what it takes to be successful in reaching a dream.

“They said I was too skinny, so I added weight,” Daniels said. “They said I relied on my legs a little bit too much, so I went to work — I completed all those passes and had the season I had. They said I was too quiet, so I became more vocal. I stepped out of my comfort zone, and now I’m here today.

“So what did I learn from all this? I learned how to block out the noise, that you can overcome any obstacle, and just be humble, be legendary, and most importantly be joyful about what you do. When you get knocked down, get back up. Keep smiling, and never give up on your dreams.”

–Field Level Media

Dec 9, 2023; New York, New York, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels speaks to the media during a press conference in the Astor ballroom at the New York Marriott Marquis before the presentation of the Heisman trophy. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

LSU QB Jayden Daniels wins Heisman Trophy

Posted on | by Field Level Media

LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels won the Heisman Trophy as the nation’s most outstanding college football player on Saturday night in New York.

Daniels beat out three other finalists, including Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr., Oregon quarterback Bo Nix and Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.

It was the latest in a growing list of honors for Daniels. He was selected as the Walter Camp national player of the year and he won the Davey O’Brien Award, which is given annually to the nation’s top quarterback.

In 12 games this season, Daniels completed 72.2 percent of his passes for 3,812 yards, 40 touchdowns and four interceptions. He also rushed for 1,134 yards and 10 touchdowns while averaging 8.4 yards per carry.

Daniels became the third player in LSU history to win the Heisman Trophy. He joined halfback Billy Cannon, who won the award in 1959, and quarterback Joe Burrow, who won in 2019.

LSU head coach Brian Kelly was in attendance to see his quarterback win the trophy. Daniels is in his second season with the Tigers after transferring from Arizona State, where he played his first three years.

Several former Heisman Trophy winners including Robert Griffin Jr., Tim Tebow and Desmond Howard also participated in the ceremony. Twenty-two previous winners took the stage before Daniels was announced as the latest honoree.

Including Daniels, seven of the past eight Heisman Trophy winners have played quarterback. The lone exception during that span is DeVonta Smith, who won the trophy as an Alabama wideout in 2020.

–Field Level Media

Dec 3, 2022; Atlanta, GA, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) passes the ball against the Georgia Bulldogs at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

QB Jayden Daniels announces return to LSU

Posted on | by Field Level Media

LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels doesn’t want to end his college football career quite yet.

Daniels announced Thursday that he will return to Baton Rouge next fall, giving him the opportunity to become a rare five-year starter after spending his first three seasons at Arizona State.

“Football has been so great to me and my family,” Daniels began his lengthy post on Twitter. “Starting from high school and up to right now, being a quarterback has created more bonds than I can count. I have met people from all walks of life because of throwing a football. Nothing will ever replace the feeling of game-winning drives and celebrating with my teammates, family, and friends.”

He continued:

“This has been an amazing ride and honestly, I am not ready to get off just yet. That is why it is important that I announce I am returning for the 2023 season to fulfill the goal of an LSU Tiger and bring our fans another championship.”

Coming out of high school in Southern California, Daniels was a four-star prospect in the 2019 class. He transferred from Arizona State following the 2021 season.

In his 13 games with the Tigers, Daniels has completed 68.5 percent of his passes for 2,774 yards with 16 touchdowns and three interceptions to go with 818 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. He has another game still to play on the season, when No. 17 LSU (9-4) meets Purdue (8-5) in the Citrus Bowl on Jan. 2.

At Arizona State, Daniels played in 29 games and threw for 6,025 yards, 32 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He rushed for 1,288 yards and 13 scores.

–Field Level Media

Oct 23, 2021; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (5) during the second half against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

LSU decides on starting QB; won’t reveal decision

Posted on | by Field Level Media

LSU head coach Brian Kelly said he has decided on a starting quarterback for Sunday’s season opener in New Orleans against Florida State, but declined to release the details of his choice.

“We’ve made a decision, but I’m not going to announce it publicly,” Kelly said, adding that he came to the decision over the weekend.

Kelly’s choice is down to redshirt freshman Garrett Nussmeier and junior transfer Jayden Daniels. It has been characterized as a 50/50 battle throughout the preparations for the upcoming season.

Nussmeier played four games for LSU last season, going 29 of 57 for 329 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.

Daniels proved himself to be a productive two-way threat in three seasons at Arizona State. He even guided the Sun Devils to a victory over Florida State in the 2019 Sun Bowl. Last season at Arizona State, the Los Angeles-area product threw for 2,381 yards and 10 TDs, with 710 yards rushing and six more scores.

Kelly said the decision will not be revealed until before Sunday’s game against the Seminoles (1-0).

“It doesn’t help us to play that card (now),” Kelly said.

Kelly did announce his starting offensive line. It will consist of Will Campbell at left tackle, Miles Frazier at left guard, Garrett Dellinger at center, Anthony Bradford at right guard and Cam Wire at right tackle.

Kelly, who takes over the Tigers program after going 113-40 in 12 seasons at Notre Dame, replaces Ed Orgeron, who departed following what was portrayed as a mutual agreement.

–Field Level Media

Dec 30, 2021; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) warms up before facing the Wisconsin Badgers in the 2021 Las Vegas Bowl at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: LSU lands transfer quarterback Jayden Daniels

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Arizona State transfer quarterback Jayden Daniels will enroll at LSU, multiple outlets reported Sunday, and he will be eligible to play next season.

Daniels, who is a graduate transfer, is expected to enroll at LSU later this month, ESPN reported. The mobile quarterback brings a wealth of experience, throwing for 6,025 and 32 touchdowns in three seasons for the Sun Devils. He also rushed for 1,288 yards and 13 more scores.

Daniels will be in a quarterback competition at LSU with senior Myles Brennan, freshman Garrett Nussmeier and Walker Howard, who just enrolled early in the program.

A native of San Bernardino, Calif., outside of Los Angeles, Daniels threw for 2,381 yards and 10 touchdowns with 10 interceptions this past season as the Sun Devils went 8-5 (6-3 Pac-12), losing to Wisconsin 20-13 in the Las Vegas Bowl.

Daniels threw for just 159 yards with an interception in his final game for the Sun Devils, while also rushing for 40 yards on 19 carries.

–Field Level Media

Dec 30, 2021; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) warms up before facing the Wisconsin Badgers in the 2021 Las Vegas Bowl at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Arizona St. QB Jayden Daniels enters transfer portal

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Arizona State three-year starting quarterback Jayden Daniels has entered the transfer portal, multiple outlets reported Thursday.

Daniels has two years of eligibility remaining, the second due to the NCAA’s COVID-19 waiver.

Daniels announced in December that he would return to Tempe for his senior season. But since then, both coordinators have resigned amid an ongoing investigation into the program’s recruiting practices. Glenn Thomas was named the new OC, ASU’s third in four seasons.

Daniels threw for 2,380 yards with 10 touchdowns against 10 interceptions in 2021. He rushed for 710 yards and six touchdowns.

The former four-star recruit has thrown for 6,025 career yards with 32 touchdowns and 13 interceptions for the Sun Devils.

–Field Level Media