Jayden Daniels 2024 Dynasty Rookie Profile

Jayden Daniels 2024 Dynasty Rookie Profile

Position: QB

School: LSU

Class: 5th Year Senior

Date of Birth: December 18, 2000

Height: 6-3 Weight: 210 lbs

 

Athletic Testing

Bio

Jayden Daniels played high school football at Cajon High School in San Bernardino, California. Daniels broke several school and state records on his way to a career 44-10 high school record. After four seasons, Daniels threw for over 14,000 yards and 170 touchdowns, while adding over 3,600 rushing yards and 41 touchdowns on the ground. Cajon High won 12 games in back-to-back seasons. Coming out of high school, Daniels was ranked the #1 dual threat quarterback in the 2019 high school class according to 247sports.com. Daniels was the top player in Arizona State’s 2019 recruiting class, a class that ranked 30th in the country.

Arizona State

Daniels started as a true freshman for the Sun Devils, going 8-5, including a Sun Bowl victory. He became the first true freshman in Sun Devils history to start the season-opener at quarterback. Daniels threw for 17 touchdowns to just two interceptions as a true freshman, while adding over 350 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.

Daniels started each of Arizona State’s four games during the shortened 2020 season due to the Covid pandemic. Arizona State went 2-2 during those games, with wins over Arizona and Oregon State; the Sun Devils fell to USC and UCLA.

Daniels’ second full season at Arizona State was a slight step backwards compared to his true freshman breakout. Arizona State once against found themselves bowl eligible after an 8-4 regular season, but fell to Wisconsin in the Las Vegas Bowl. While Daniels’ completion percentage progressed, he managed to throw 10 interceptions on just 301 attempts (3.3%). Daniels did have his most productive year on the ground, adding six touchdowns on 138 carries.

At the conclusion of the 2021 season, Daniels entered the transfer portal and eventually chose to play for Brian Kelly and LSU.

Louisiana State

Joining Brian Kelly in Baton Rouge earned a ton of preseason hype for Daniels and the Tigers. A shocking Week 1 loss to Florida State hushed the noise, but it did not slow down Daniels from having his best season as a redshirt junior. Daniels matched his productivity from a standout freshman season, but was more dynamic as a rusher. Daniels led the team with 186 carries, 885 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground. LSU finished the regular season 9-3 while winning the SEC West. The Tigers fell to eventual national champion Georgia Bulldogs, but dominated a depleted Purdue team in the Citrus Bowl. Daniels elected to return for a second season in Baton Rouge, a fruitful decision for both he and LSU.

As a redshirt senior, Daniels dominated college football. His 1,230 rushing yards (net sack yards lost) was the most among FBS quarterbacks, and 19th nationally. Daniels finished 7th in completion percentage (72.2%), 5th in passing yards (3,812) and 2nd in passing touchdowns (40). His 50 total touchdowns only trailed Bo Nix (51) while playing in two fewer games. This led to Daniels winning the Heisman Trophy, the first by a Brian Kelly quarterback.

College Stats

Jayden Daniels College Stats Courtesy of sports-reference

Positives

+ 55 career starts

+ Leader

+ High football IQ

+ Athleticism

+ Accurate when throwing on the move

+ Ability to recognize pre-snap pressure

+ Sound footwork

+ Comfortable in a crowded pocket

+ Scrambling ability

+ Top tier big play capability

+ Unofficial 4.50 40-yard dash at LSU pro day (100th percentile, PlayerProfiler.com)

 

Negatives

– Smaller frame

– Non-elite velocity on throws

– Adequate arm elasticity

– Tendency to extend plays can get him in trouble

Highlight Reel

 

Archetype: Dual-threat

Yards Per-Formance Grade: 86.2 (92nd percentile)

Draft Projection: Top-5

Bottom Line:

Jayden Daniels won’t wait long to hear his name called in this month’s NFL Draft; the reigning Heisman Trophy recipient is currently the odds-on favorite of going 2nd overall. The move to LSU brought out the best in Daniels as he was able to play alongside two NFL caliber receivers in Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. Adding Daniels’ threat as a rusher, the Tigers had one of the best offenses in the country.

Despite a smaller frame at 210 pounds, Daniels’ mobility and threat of leaving the pocket is elite in this class. Daniels enters the league with 55 starts under his belt (37-18), winning at both Arizona State and LSU. His arm strength may not be elite, but he makes up for it by staying calm in the pocket and improvising under pressure. Daniels displays a high football IQ, and will make defenses pay if he gets in the open field.

Daniels would be expected to start Week 1 of this year, regardless of who selects him. Given his rushing capability, he be a top-5 pick in superflex rookie drafts. Depending on team needs, he could make the argument for second overall behind Caleb Williams. Even in one-quarterback rookie drafts, Daniels is a mid-to-late first round pick.

 

Resources: DLF, PlayerProfiler, PFN, PFF, TDN

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