Up in opposition to stiff competitors in Michael Penix Jr. (Washington, QB), Bo Nix (Oregon, QB) and Marvin Harrison Jr. (Ohio State, WR), many believed the Tigers’ three losses in 2023 would come again to hang-out Daniels within the Heisman voting, they usually practically did.
This 12 months’s race was the tightest since 2018 when Oklahoma QB Kyler Murray beat out Alabama’s Tua Tagovailo.
Daniels acquired 503 first-place votes (2,029 factors), forward of second-place finisher Penix (292 first-place votes, 1,701 factors), the one participant among the many 4 to guide his crew to the Faculty Soccer Playoff.
Daniels has had an electrical season, recording 40 touchdowns and 4 interceptions whereas successful SEC Offensive Participant of the 12 months and the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, given to the nation’s high underclassman QB.
Nonetheless, regardless of his accomplishments, many will maintain the three losses in opposition to him concerning who ought to’ve walked away with essentially the most hallowed particular person honor in faculty soccer. The argument on the floor holds water, however when wanting deeper, it solely proves Daniels much more worthy of the accolade.
In LSU’s three losses, Daniels threw for 979 yards and rushed for 326 extra whereas including 9 touchdowns and solely two interceptions in opposition to opponents who mixed to go 33-3 this season. Moreover, the LSU offense averaged 33.7 factors and 524.7 yards, whereas their protection allowed 45, 55, and 42 factors.
Daniels turns into solely the third LSU participant to win the Heisman, becoming a member of Billy Canon (1959) and Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow (2019), who he’ll play alongside on Sundays quickly.
After No. 13 LSU performs within the ReliaQuest Bowl in opposition to Wisconsin on Jan. 1, the subsequent cease for Daniels would be the NFL Draft in April.
