Jayden Daniels will win the Heisman Trophy in 2023

Jayden Daniels began his first four games of the 2022 college football season with the same completion percentage through his first four games, along with throwing for two interceptions in his first four games this season compared to last year.

More staggering of a stat however is the fact that Daniels has thrown for 1,296 yards through his first four games this year compared to 1,935 yards last year. Daniels has also accumulated 12 touchdown passes in four games already this season, compared to six last year through his first four.

This significant incremental improvement in the passing game can be attributed to many things. Daniels is now in his second season with Brian Kelly as head coach of the LSU Tigers. Furthermore, Tigers Offensive Coordinator, Mike Denbrock is now in his second season working with Daniels as well. And this is the first time Daniels has had the benefit of working under the same offensive coordinator in two consecutive seasons.

Daniels and the Tigers also returned their top three receivers from last year in KJ Lacey, Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas. Tight End Mason Taylor returns as well. All had big moments for the Tigers last year and its transparent that with another year and all of these returning elements around Daniels, his confidence has grown. The passing statistics specifically back this up.

Why LSU QB Jayden Daniels will win the Heisman Trophy in 2023

If Daniels continues at this pace, he will throw for 3,888 yards and 36 touchdowns on the season. He’ll run for another 579 yards and six touchdowns.

Since 2007, there have been 14 quarterback winners of the Heisman Trophy. Only four of them have thrown for less than 3,888 yards – Tim Tebow, Cam Newton, Johnny Manziel, and Lamar Jackson. All four had over 1,000 yards rushing during their Heisman season.

Although Daniels is projected for much less, look for him to easily surpass these projections as he hits SEC play with his increased confidence and experience around him. Last year, we saw a different quarterback the last part of the season with Daniels than the first part. This year, we’ve seen a different quarterback from the beginning, which is the main difference that will become more transparent as the season progresses and Daniels’ numbers pile up.