Congratulations to Jayden Daniels on his Heisman win. He, and the abysmal LSU protection, have been the the reason why the Bayou Bengals have been a lot enjoyable to look at this season. As was the case in 2022-23, the winner of faculty soccer’s most prestigious award was accompanied by poor teaching, dangerous protection, or each.
Daniels accounted for 50 touchdowns and almost 5,000 yards this season, however went 9-3 as a result of Brian Kelly is allergic to balanced soccer groups. The identical goes for Lincoln Riley, whose Caleb Williams led-Trojans completed 11-3 a 12 months in the past regardless of the longer term No. 1 total choose amassing 52 touchdowns and almost 5,000 yards in his sophomore marketing campaign.
We’ve seen an analogous blueprint playout earlier than when Lamar Jackson really surpassed the 5,000-yard mark (together with they 50-TD threshold)‚ and took house the {hardware} for a Louisville crew that completed 9-4. The factor is I don’t disagree with Daniels, Williams, or Jackson profitable in these specific years, and to be trustworthy, I’m sort of embarrassed I didn’t acknowledge the method sooner. Not solely would early detection have given me the arrogance to pre-write this piece, but in addition to position a uncommon wager (at the least for me).
Clearly, in hindsight, Heisman winners are simple to identify, however the subsequent time a Energy-5 (or 4) QB hits 50 TDs, and is within the ballpark of 5,000 whole yards, put me down for $20. The opposite issue that labored in Daniels’ favor was the vanilla nature of this season.
As an entire, there weren’t a variety of stellar upsets this 12 months — therefore the chalk-filled CFP bracket — however LSU-Ole Miss was drunk even by Louisiana requirements, and was as near a Heisman second* as I can pinpoint. Daniels did his greatest Robert Griffin III impression on the best way to 513 yards of whole offense and 5 touchdowns.
Whereas LSU misplaced, 55-49, the ultimate heave hit Tiger fingertips, and established a theme for the season. The Tigers’ schedule and protection have been serviceable sufficient to maintain Daniels inside hanging distance, and he delivered even in defeat.
He surpassed 400 yards in opposition to Florida State, and tallied 163 on the bottom in opposition to Alabama, outgaining Jordan Travis and Jalen Milroe in whole yardage, respectively. Daniels not solely turned himself right into a first-round lock, but in addition receiver Malik Nabers, and perhaps Brian Thomas Jr., too. Each cross catchers put up stats on par or higher than Heisman finalist Marvin Harrison Jr., and Daniels’ maturation as a passer is a giant cause why the 2 LSU receivers mixed for 31 TD grabs.
This 12 months’s class of QBs is tough to evaluate as a result of I don’t know if Michael Penix and Bo Nix are good, or in the event that they have been too nice of athletes to be in school this lengthy and never work out the place. Daniels is in the identical boat, which may be why scouts aren’t bought on him because the de facto second-best prospect within the draft.
To me, it seems like every of these QBs lastly delivered on the potential followers and coaches have seen in them since highschool. Whether or not they succeed on the subsequent degree I don’t know, however they’re as ready as they’re going to get. None are Anthony Richardson-type initiatives, and I wouldn’t be stunned if Penix, Nix or Daniels flip right into a franchise participant quite rapidly.
All I do know is that if the crew I root for went with Drake Maye over 2023 Heisman winner Jayden Daniels, I’d whip no matter’s in my hand — cellphone, distant, beer — throughout the room.
*Daniels struck the Heisman pose throughout a 600-yard, five-score outing in opposition to Florida, however that recreation was a blowout, and the Gators didn’t make a bowl recreation.
