Perception of LSU changing with Jayden Daniels' Heisman win

LSU is a quarterback school.

Jayden Daniels' Heisman win on Saturday night, the second for a Tigers quarterback since 2019, should change the perception of the program into one where a quarterback can thrive.

For years, the Tigers have been better known as "DBU," or defensive back university, for being the home to a number of future NFL stars in the secondary, including Patrick Peterson, Tyrann Mathieu and Tre'Davious White. 

It's been called "WRU," too, for its lineage of outstanding wide receivers, including Odell Beckham Jr., Ja'Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson.

But QBU? Prior to Joe Burrow's breakout in 2019, finding a quality quarterback down in the bayou was about as rare as a rougarou sighting.

Part of that was due to former head coach Les Miles running one of the most quarterback-unfriendly offenses in the country. It was difficult for LSU to attract premium talent at the position when the offense consisted primarily of toss-handoffs to running backs, no matter how devastating those were when Leonard Fournette suited up for the purple and gold.

With the offense much more dynamic - first at the behest of former head coach Ed Orgeron and extending into the Brian Kelly era - the Tigers should attract elite quarterback prospects, both out of high school and in the transfer portal.

Burrow and Daniels not only won the Heisman but also improved their NFL draft stock while at LSU. Burrow wasn't on many people's radar before becoming the No. 1 overall pick in 2020. Daniels may have been a Day 3 selection entering 2023 but will likely go in the first round after his remarkable season.

Neither was a sure thing when joining LSU, but they excelled when given control of the offense. Burrow barely played at Ohio State while Daniels was inconsistent at Arizona State. 

Burrow was a three-star recruit out of high school and threw 39 passes from 2015-17 while in Columbus. Daniels, a former four-star recruit, was excellent as a freshman with the Sun Devils, throwing 17 touchdowns to only two interceptions. Two seasons later as a junior, he threw 10 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

Their improvements won't go unnoticed by recruits, who are also aware that by coming to LSU they are guaranteed to play with future NFL talent at the skill positions. As Daniels said during his charming Heisman speech, a quarterback's job is easy when his wide receivers operate like a Waffle House - always open.

The program's come a long way from Jarrett Lee, Zach Mettenberger and Brandon Harris. With two Heisman wins in the past five years, the standard at quarterback has shifted at LSU.