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Mel Kiper, Jr. said that the best decision that Jayden Daniels made was transferring from Arizona State to LSU.
On ESPN’s Monday Blitz, the network’s longtime NFL Draft analyst said that Daniels was still with the Sun Devils, he would put Daniels in the fourth round of next year’s round.
After 2 impressive seasons with LSU and a Heisman Trophy to show for it, Kiper now has Daniels at No. 8 overall in the draft. Kiper noted that Daniels is the third-best quarterback in the draft behind USC’s Caleb Williams and UNC’s Drake Maye.
“You saw the passes he made throughout the year…he had pinpoint accuracy at short and intermediate levels,” Kiper said.
Daniels’ 2023 season consisted of throwing for 3,812 yards, 40 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. On the ground, Daniels rushed for 1,134 yards and 10 TDs on 135 carries.
Other numbers for Daniels included a 72.2 completion percentage and an average 11.7 passing yards per throw. With his legs, Daniels averaged 8.4 yards per carry.
More importantly, Kiper said, Daniels barely turned the ball over.
“(Daniels) made it go (for LSU),” Kiper said. “He came through with big play after big play and not turning the ball over. It’s a rare balance to find a quarterback that aggressive with your arm and your leg, yet not turn it over.”
No. 13 LSU (9-3) will face Wisconsin (7-5) in the ReliaQuest Bowl on New Year’s Day at noon on ESPN2.
