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Another Daniels masterpiece should end Heisman debate

LSU Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) rushes against Texas A&M Aggies linebacker Taurean York (21) during the first half at Tiger Stadium. Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Another Jayden Daniels masterpiece should end Heisman debate

By Eric Smithling | Last updated 11/25/23

The Heisman winner won't be announced until Dec. 9, but that should only be a formality. That's because Jayden Daniels won the award after another dominating performance.

In Saturday's 42-30 win over Texas A&M (7-5, 4-4 in SEC), Daniels was 16-of-24 for 235 yards and four touchdowns and added 11 carries for 120 yards.

His longest run came on a fourth-and-4 when College Football Playoff No. 14 LSU (9-3, 6-2 in SEC) trailed 24-14. He broke off a 49-yarder to keep the drive alive, leading to a touchdown as the Tigers ended the game on a 28-6 run.

Jayden Daniels says I'll do it my damn self on fourth down. pic.twitter.com/zrhgvORL30
— Matthew Brune (@MatthewBrune_) November 25, 2023

Daniels throws one of the best, most accurate deep balls in the country, and he showed off his arm with a pair of beautiful touchdowns to wide receivers Brian Thomas and Malik Nabers.

The Throw. The Catch. @JayD__5 to @BrianThomas_11
TOUCHDOWN

ESPN pic.twitter.com/TSsg2oqAlB
— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) November 25, 2023

Touchdown LSU!!!

Jayden Daniels to Malik Nabers for the score!

Tigers lead 35-24, 8:25 4Q pic.twitter.com/5TgdLWGXPb
— Matthew Brune (@MatthewBrune_) November 25, 2023

He has a lot of support for the Heisman despite LSU's season being over and quarterbacks Bo Nix and Michael Penix Jr. having the Pac-12 Championship on Dec. 1 to solidify their case for college football's highest individual honor.

Jayden Daniels

16/24 235. 4 TDs

11 carries 120 yards

355 total yards 4TDs

Finishes the season with 50 tds.

Case closed

No better player in College Football
— Booger (@ESPNBooger) November 25, 2023

Jayden Daniels now has 235 passing yards, 120 rushing yards and four TDs ... and LSU's taken FORTY-EIGHT SNAPS.
— Bill Connelly (@ESPN_BillC) November 25, 2023

GIVE HIM THE HEISMAN!

Jayden Daniels with one of the greatest CFB seasons ever.

350+ Total Yards
4 TD's

LSU down 10 in the 3rd quarter.....JD5 took over.
— Peter Burns (@PeterBurnsESPN) November 25, 2023

LSU QB Jayden Daniels w/4th TD pass of day vs. Texas A&M for 42-30 lead. Did that lock up Heisman for the "Human First Down?"
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) November 25, 2023

Head coach Brian Kelly suggested Daniels has done enough to win the award, noting his most recent performance came against a top-10 defense. Entering Week 13, Texas A&M was eighth in the country in total defense (286.5 yards per game allowed).

Brian Kelly on Jayden Daniels’ Heisman candidacy: “It’s a top 10 defense in the country. You throw for 4 touchdown passes against that defense, you put up 42 points…I think he strengthened his case.”
— Cody Worsham (@CodyWorsham) November 25, 2023

On ESPN's "College Gameday" prior to his performance against Texas A&M, Kirk Herbstreit said his Heisman vote would go to Daniels.

Kirk Herbstreit says he'll use his Heisman vote on LSU QB Jayden Daniels

“So you look at Jayden Daniels, not only is he gonna win the Heisman this year, I think he’s gonna go to the NFL.

Not only is he going to win with 3 losses, he’s gonna go into his world and become a… pic.twitter.com/isZwhmTeGa
— On3 (@On3sports) November 25, 2023

Per oddschecker, Daniels and Nix are co-favorites to win the Heisman (+130). As deserving as Nix is for the award, Daniels has been even more outstanding. He's operated the most efficient offense in football to perfection and has the numbers to back it up.

Daniels finished the regular season 236-of-327 (72.2%) for 3,812 yards (11.7 yards per attempt) with 135 carries for 1,134 yards, 50 total touchdowns and only four interceptions.

He was the most outstanding player in college football all season. LSU's marching band already knows that. Heisman voters should, too.

Jayden Daniels has the full support of all LSU fans and even the LSU Tiger Marching Band was in the Heisman Spirit at halftime pic.twitter.com/9Gr4mNJDer
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) November 25, 2023

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