His team lost three games.
In a normal year, LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels wouldn’t even be considered for the Heisman Trophy. After all, isn’t it always the best (offensive) player on the best team? (Hello Matt Leinert, hello, Reggie Bush – in recent years, hello, Bryce Young, Caleb Williams).
Only once has it been a defensive player (yep, Charles Woodson, we see you).
Saturday night, in New York City, Daniels overcame the three-loss obstacle to capture the 89th Heisman Trophy (LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels wins 2023 Heisman Trophy), and he had some stiff competition: Oregon quarterback Bo Nix and Washington quarterback Michael Penix, and wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., of Ohio State.
“This is a dream come true,” Daniels said, to begin his acceptance speech.
It hasn’t been long since an LSU quarterback won the trophy – just four seasons ago, when Joe Burrow accepted it right before helping the Tigers win the national title. That won’t be the case for Daniels, whose team finished the regular season 9-3. They’ll play Wisconsin in the Reliaquest Bowl in Tampa, Fla. on New Year’s Day.
Daniels threw for 3,812 yards, 40 touchdowns and just four interceptions. He also rushed for 1,134 yards and 10 scores.
He is also the Davey O’Brien Award-winner (for the nation’s top quarterback) and the Associated Press’s player of the year.
He’s LSU’s third winner, joining Burrow and Billy Cannon (1959).
