Jayden Daniels scripts history by becoming only the 3rd LSU player to win the Heisman Trophy

Daniels became third ever Heisman Trophy winner from LSU.

Jayden Daniels scripts history by becoming only the 3rd LSU player to win the Heisman Trophy

Jayden Daniels poses with the Heisman Trophy (Via Imago)

The LSU Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels just finished a historic season despite his team’s struggles to reach the playoffs. And now, the talented signal-caller has added another feather in his cap as he ended up winning the prestigious Heisman Trophy award for the 2023 college football season.

Daniels became just the 3rd quarterback from LSU to win the prestigious award, joining Joe Burrow and Billy Cannon, who won the award during the 2019 and 1959 seasons, respectively. On Saturday, Daniels was presented the award in a grand ceremony held at the Lincoln Center in New York City.

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The LSU quarterback received 503 first-place votes and 2,029 total points to narrowly edge out the Washington Huskies’ Michael Penix Jr. (292 first place, 1,701 total) and Oregon Ducks’ Bo Nix (51 first place, 885 total). The Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. received 20 first-place votes and finished 4th in the Heisman voting.

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Daniels’ narrow 328-point margin over Penix makes this the closest Heisman race since 2018, when Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray defeated Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa with a margin of 296 points. Furthermore, Daniels also became the first player since 2016 to take home the hardware as a part of the team that did not make the conference championship game.

LSU QB Jayden Daniels — who transferred to LSU from Arizona State in 2022 — had a historic campaign in 2023 as he registered 4,946 yards of offense (3,812 passing yards, 1,134 rushing yards) and 50 total touchdowns. He became the first player since Johnny Manziel to register 3500-plus passing yards and 1000-plus rushing yards in a single season.

Jayden Daniels says winning the Heisman Trophy was a dream come true

The 23-year-old signal-caller Jayden Daniels accepted the Heisman Trophy in a grand ceremony in New York City. In his acceptance speech, Daniels said winning the prestigious trophy was a dream come true.

Jayden Daniels LSU Tigers
Jayden Daniels (Via SI)
This is a dream come true. I want to thank all my teammates, from Arizona State to LSU. You're my brothers. You work so hard every day, inspiring me to be my best.
Daniels said in his acceptance speech

Daniels then thanked his LSU fans and said he really hoped that he could “have brought you back another championship”. LSU Tigers finished at No.13 rank in the final CFP rankings.

Daniels is the third straight quarterback to take home the award and 7th quarterback in the last 8 years. Winning this prestigious award could improve his draft stock. He is now projected to be selected in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft if he declares.

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