LSU QB receiving buzz for 2024 NFL Draft

LSU won't sneak up on anyone in the SEC this season. 

Beyond that, QB Jayden Daniels is already getting noticed by scouts, with one going as far as saying he could be a future first-round pick.  

"If you take his three or four best games from this past year, I probably think he's a little bit better than Hendon Hooker," one scout told On3. Hooker led Tennessee to a 10-win regular season and was trending as a potential first-round pick prior to the NFL Draft. He ended up being selected in the third round (68th overall) by the Detroit Lions.

By the time of the 2024 NFL Draft, Daniels will be 23, which is older than the QBs drafted in the first round this year but younger than Hooker, who turned 25 in January.

"After watching all the tape, Jayden showed significant progress over the course of the year... I was at the opener against Florida State and he clearly wasn't comfortable in the offense, but by the end of the year, he looked confident operating everything," said Senior Bowl executive director Jim Nagy said. (h/t On3)

Daniels was 266-of-388 (68.6 percent) for 2,913 yards, 17 touchdowns and three interceptions a season ago, his first at LSU. He also had 885 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on 186 carries.

LSU's offense took a while to get going against the Seminoles in last year's opener, but even then, Daniels led the Tigers' on a 99-yard scoring drive as time expired against Florida State. Kicker Damian Ramos had his extra point attempt blocked to ruin a potentially miraculous comeback and LSU fell, 24-23.

Along with his spotty debut, Daniels struggled four weeks later at Auburn. LSU won, 21-17, but Daniels completed 40 percent of his attempts for 80 yards. 

He turned a corner after that game, having at least 300 total yards of offense the next three weeks and then winning the duel against Bryce Young and Alabama.

Consistency will be the key to how much Daniels' NFL stock ultimately rises. The week after his late-game heroics against the Crimson Tide, he floundered by going 8-of-15 for 85 yards and an interception at Arkansas. 

Earlier this offseason, head coach Brian Kelly said his quarterback gained 10 pounds this offseason as he bulks up before a second season in the SEC. "He's thicker. He's stronger," said Kelly while noting Daniels is more of a "veteran presence now than acclimating to a new program." (h/t Nola.com)

His comfort at LSU within the offense will be a benefit. But after being overlooked last year, people won't sleep on the Tigers this year. Having established himself in 2022, Daniels is on notice. He's playing for a national title and a whole lot more.