Jayden Daniels thanks teammates, LSU support staff, family after Heisman Trophy win
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Jayden Daniels had to stop himself several times to keep from getting emotional. After winning the 2023 Heisman Trophy, Daniels thanked his family, his teammates — both at LSU and at Arizona State — support staff and behind-the-scenes personnel working in and around LSU football, his offensive line, and several others in a 5-minute speech Saturday night.
“You put a football in my hands when I was young. I know you raised me to be a corner, but hopefully now the decision to play quarterback paid off,” he said to his father as the crowd burst out in laughter.
Daniels beat out Washington’s Michael Penix Jr., Oregon’s Bo Nix, and Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. for the honor.
This season, he became the only player in FBS history to pass for 12,000 yards and run for 3,000 yards in a career. Against Florida on Nov. 11, Daniels became the first quarterback in FBS history to throw for at least 350 yards and run for at least 200 yards in a single game.
He was named on 90.5% of all Heisman ballots, passing Bryce Young in 2021 for the seventh-highest percentage in the history of the Heisman. Daniels received 503 first-place votes and 75.9% of all total possible points — the 13th-highest in the Heisman’s history.
“I want to dedicate this award to every boy and girl who has a dream,” Daniels said. “With faith and hard work, you never know what’s possible.”
You can see his full Heisman acceptance speech below:
A Dream Come True. It’s through faith and hard work.
Heisman Winner @JayD__5 pic.twitter.com/GSflVj0icw
— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) December 10, 2023
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.
