LSU QB Jayden Daniels: He’s not about “me,” he’s all about “we”

In the 2024 NFL Draft, if you are a GM with a Top 5 pick and looking for the best overall quarterback to lead your franchise, look no further than LSU QB Jayden Daniels.

As the winner of the 2023 Heisman Trophy, Daniels led a potent LSU offense as he threw for 3,812 yards, rushed for 1,134 yards, and accounted for 50 total touchdowns.

Daniels completed 72% of his passes and threw just four INTs. In addition, he ranked 3rd in the FBS in passing yards per game (317 yards/game) and he led the nation in total offense with 412 yards per game.

However, his most enduring quality, aside from the outstanding athleticism and the top of the charts football I.Q., is that he is all about “we,” and not about “me.”

Daniels is a talented signal-caller who is the ultimate teammate, who has good character and the will to win, and then shines the spotlight on his teammates. He is also resilient and unselfish.

Resilient

Those same NFL GM’s and scouts may be wondering if Daniels is resilient, can he play through pain and lead his team to victory. Allow me to present a couple of examples of his resiliency.

October 7, 2023 at Missouri

Down 25-17 in the 2nd half, Daniels was nursing badly bruised ribs and pain was rippling through his body with every movement. After going to the sideline to get taped up and then demanding to go back out on the field, Daniels accounted for three 2nd half touchdowns, including a 35-yard TD run, as the Tigers came roaring back for a 49-39 victory.

November 11, 2023 vs Florida

A month later in Death Valley against the Florida Gators, Daniels turned in his Heisman moment. After being knocked out of the Alabama game a week earlier with a helmet shot to the chin that forced him to the sidelines and into concussion protocol, Daniels skinned the Gators’ defense for 606 total yards and five total touchdowns, including an 85-yard run for glory and a 51-yard scamper to retake the lead for good and eventually a 52-35 win.

Unselfish

Daniels declined to attend the NFL Combine, opting instead to workout for the scouts and GMs at the LSU Pro Day, the largest event of its kind ever held at LSU. This allowed his draft-eligible teammates who were not invited to the Combine the opportunity to workout for representatives from all 32 NFL teams.

I attended the Pro Day to observe first-hand the bonafide, NFL-ready quarterback that is Jayden Daniels. Daniels showed up to the passing drills wearing a t-shirt jersey with the number 13 and the name Brooks, Jr. across the back, paying tribute to his teammate Greg Brooks, Jr. who is battling brain cancer. Daniels had this to say about Brooks in a post that has been tweeted on X:

I watched as Daniels was accurate on his passes, putting zip on the ball as fellow projected 1st round picks Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas, Jr. provided targets on designated routes. And, he displayed his arm strength on deep balls.

Daniels may not be asked to run the ball at the pro level, but he can make plays with his legs as well when the situation dictates. At the Pro Day, Daniels solidified his status as a Top 3 pick in Round 1 come Draft Day.

And, you have to believe that each team that interviewed Daniels came away with the feeling that Daniels is a good guy, a guy with impeccable character. A guy who does the right things and leads by example. A guy you want in your locker room.

A guy who just happens to be the best quarterback in this draft.