After a breakout season in 2023, LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels is poised to be a top five pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. He’s a multi-faceted game-changer at the quarterback position, but his prospect makeup doesn’t come without its questions.

Jayden Daniels scouting report

Sep 30, 2023; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) drops back to pass for a touchdown during the first quarter against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

Background

College: LSU

Age: 23

Height: 6’4

Weight: 210

Awards: Heisman Trophy (2023), Walter Camp Award (2023), AP College Football Player of the Year (2023), Davey O’Brien Award (2023), Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award (2023), Consensus All-American (2023), SEC Offensive Player of the Year (2023), All-SEC First Team (2023)

Daniels was a four-star recruit out of Cajon High School in California. He was the second-ranked quarterback (behind Spencer Rattler) and top-ranked dual threat quarterback in the Class of 2019, and committed to Arizona State.

In his first camp at Arizona State Daniels won the starting job, making him the first true freshman starting quarterback in program history. He finished as a runner-up for Pac-12 Freshman Offensive Player of the year. He retained the starting job all three years he was with Arizona State.

In 2022 Daniels transferred to LSU, where his production dramatically increased despite facing tougher SEC defenses. After a promising 2022 season Daniels had a monster 2023 season, capturing the Heisman trophy.

For more player breakdowns, scouting reports, and all things 2024 NFL Draft, check out the 98.5 The Sports Hub Draft Hub page. 

• Stats

  Passing

  Year	School	Conf	Class	G	Cmp	Att	Pct	Yds	Y/A	TD	Int	Rate
  2019	Arizona State	Pac-12	FR	12	205	338	60.7	2943	8.7	17	2	149.2
  2020	Arizona State	Pac-12	SO	4*	49	84	58.3	701	8.3	5	1	145.7
  2021	Arizona State	Pac-12	JR	13	197	301	65.4	2381	7.9	10	10	136.2
  2022	LSU	SEC	SR	14	266	388	68.6	2913	7.5	17	3	144.5
  2023	LSU	SEC	SR	12	236	327	72.2	3812	11.7	40	4	208.0
  Career	Overall			55	953	1438	66.3	12750	8.9	89	20	158.4
  	Arizona State			29	451	723	62.4	6025	8.3	32	13	143.4
  	LSU			26	502	715	70.2	6725	9.4	57	7	173.6

  Rushing

  Year	School	Conf	Class	G	Att	Yds	Avg	TD
  2019	Arizona State	Pac-12	FR	12	125	355	2.8	3
  2020	Arizona State	Pac-12	SO	4*	33	223	6.8	4
  2021	Arizona State	Pac-12	JR	13	138	710	5.1	6
  2022	LSU	SEC	SR	14	186	885	4.8	11
  2023	LSU	SEC	SR	12	135	1134	8.4	10
  Career	Overall			55	617	3307	5.4	34
  	Arizona State			29	296	1288	4.4	13
  	LSU			26	321	2019	6.3	21

  *Arizona State only played four games in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions
  Provided by CFB at Sports Reference: View Original Table

• Strengths

  — Rapid growth the last two years shows an ability to quickly learn and improve his game

  — Best at throwing to some of the toughest parts of the field, deep and outside the numbers

  — Good throwing mechanics, quick release

  — Elite athlete, a true big play threat as a runner, but doesn’t need to run to be effective

  — Can use his legs to extend a play and create with his arm, just as well as taking off and scrambling

• Weaknesses

  — Trusts his arm too much at times

  — Middle of the field accuracy is inconsistent

  — Will need to bulk up to take the kind of contact he’ll deal with at the next level

  — Doesn’t protect himself as a runner, takes too many unnecessary big hits, needs to slide and go out of bounds more

  — Older prospect (will turn 24 during his rookie year)

• Video Breakdown

• Player comparisons

  Ceiling: Lamar Jackson

  Middle: Robert Griffin III

  Floor: Tyrod Taylor

• Bottom line

  Daniels is an elite athlete at the quarterback position, but that’s hardly his whole game. He’s improved significantly as a passer his two years at LSU. He’ll need to work on his short game, and durability will be a question due to his frame, but he has the big-play potential – both as a passer and runner – that NFL teams covet.

• Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at [email protected].

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