Did Brian Kelly just spoil which team will draft LSU QB Jayden Daniels?
With USC quarterback Caleb Williams all but guaranteed to go No. 1 overall to the Chicago Bears, it appears the Washington Commanders are down to either North Carolina QB Drake Maye or LSU QB Jayden Daniels with the No. 2 pick.
But LSU head coach Brian Kelly may have spoiled the surprise about where his Heisman Trophy-winning signal caller will end up during the Tigers’ pro day as he hyped Daniels up and tried to dispel any concerns about his 210-pound frame, which was closer to 185 pounds during the season.
“[Daniels] is going to be so committed to taking care of himself that you're not going to have to worry about size or he doesn't weigh enough,” Kelly told reporters at LSU’s pro day. “Lamar [Jackson] has done a pretty good job with his size. [Patrick] Mahomes I wouldn't consider him a giant. Because he is going to get the ball out to the playmakers and make plays — for Washington.”
Commanders head coach Dan Quinn attended both Daniels’ and Maye’s pro days. He appeared to like what he saw from both QBs.
Daniels accounted for 4,946 yards, 50 touchdowns (40 passing, 10 rushing) and just four interceptions. He had 900 more all-purpose yards, a significantly higher completion percentage (72.2 to 63.3) and 16 more touchdowns than Maye did this season.
However, some scouts have concerns about Daniels being a one-year wonder as his numbers were pretty pedestrian during his first three years at Arizona State and his first year at LSU.
Conversely, Maye has more of a track record of sustainable productivity, totaling 7,929 yards passing, 62 touchdowns and 16 interceptions with an additional 1,147 yards rushing and 16 more touchdowns in two seasons as the Tar Heels’ starter.
He’s also 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds with fewer worries about his body holding up to NFL punishment.
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