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Jayden Daniels for Heisman: LSU touts QB leading 25 of 30 categories as ‘the guy, and it’s not close’
By John Brasier
Published:
With the regular season over, LSU’s chief branding officer is doing his best to promote QB Jayden Daniels for the Heisman Trophy, using X to pronounce him as “the guy, and it’s not close.”
Daniels is considered by many the frontrunner for the award over Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. and Oregon QB Bo Nix. Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr. and Georgia QB Carson Beck are considered other contenders.
In a post after Saturday games, Cody Worsham pointed out that Daniels “has 3.5 times more rushing yards after contact (518) than Michael Penix and Bo Nix have total rushing yards combined (145). According to Worsham, Daniels has forced 47 missed tackles as a runner. Nix has forced 2, Penix 1.
Looking at stats for Heisman favorites.
Jayden Daniels has 3.5 times more rushing yards after contact (518) than Michael Penix and Bo Nix have total rushing yards combined (145).
Daniels has forced 47 missed tackles as a runner. Nix has forced 2, Penix 1.
— Cody Worsham (@CodyWorsham) November 26, 2023
To win, Daniels is going to have to overcome his team’s 9-3 record. The other 4 teams remain in contention for the College Football Playoff and New Year’s 6 bowls. Washington is 12-0, Oregon is 11-1, Ohio State is 11-1 and Georgia is 12-0. The Heisman is often won by a player on one of the nation’s top teams.
With 3,812 passing yards, Daniels trails Penix and Nix by less than 100 yards. But with 4,946 total yards — 1,134 rushing — he has almost 900 more than Nix and more than 1,000 more than Penix. All 3 QBs are transfers — Daniels began at Arizona State, Penix at Indiana and Nix at Auburn.
In 30 offensive categories, Warsham notes Daniels leads Nix and Penix in 25, including passer rating (208), completion percentage on throws of more than 20 yards (63.6) and yards per play (10.71).
Made as comprehensive of a list as I could comparing the Heisman favorites.
Jayden Daniels is the guy, and it’s not close.
Leads 25 of the 30 categories listed here, against by far the toughest schedule. pic.twitter.com/EMUFJ5Ce7b
— Cody Worsham (@CodyWorsham) November 26, 2023
