LSU Football: QB Jayden Daniels Favorite to Win 2023 Heisman Trophy

LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels is now in the driver's seat to win the 2023 Heisman Trophy after Oregon signal-caller Bo Nix dropped the PAC-12 Championship on Friday night. 

Daniels, who's delivered a 500+ yard performances routinely, saw the staggering numbers continue taking America by storm during the 2023 season. 

On the year, the numbers are truly remarkable. He totaled nearly 5,000 yards and 50 total touchdowns as he navigates his way to the top of the Heisman odds.

Here's what the oddsmakers are saying:

DraftKings Sportsbook: -1200

FanDuel Sportsbook: -1450

Caesars Sportsbook: -1400

It's been quite the campaign for Daniels and his head coach has bought in on his QB1.

Kelly once again spoke on his signal-caller's season during last week's press conference and how deserving he is of the prestigious award:

“I truly think he’s the best player in the country,” Kelly said. “I’ve watched the other players too, and I think they’re terrific players too, but what he is doing is so different from what I’ve seen in my career in terms of pushing the ball down the field and dropping balls into tight coverages and running the football. I would say the assertiveness which he’s throwing the football – these aren’t screen passes. These aren’t swing passes. These aren’t cupcake throws. Not that anyone’s making cupcake throws.

I’m not saying that, but all of his throws are vertical throws and he’s pushing the ball down the field. His runs are making people miss and he’s taking hits. He doesn’t slide. He shows toughness. He’s a football player and he’s playing the game at a level I’ve never seen before.”

It slowly became a two-man race between Daniels and Oregon quarterback Bo Nix. The Ducks' QB1 continued carving defenses on a routine basis in the PAC-12, but Friday's struggles saw his odds deteriorate. 

Now, Washington's Michael Penix Jr. sits at the No. 2 spot at +900 while Nix is at +1200.