Jayden Daniels, former ASU football quarterback, could win Heisman Trophy with LSU
Arizona State has never had a player win the Heisman Trophy.
But it could soon have a former player win college football's most prestigious award.
Quarterback Jayden Daniels, who played for the ASU football team in 2019, 2020 and 2021 before transferring to LSU, is among the favorites to win the award after putting up incredible numbers during the regular season for the Tigers.
Daniels, a senior, completed 236 of his 327 attempts (72.2%) for 3,812 yards this season. He threw for 40 touchdowns and had just four passes intercepted.
He also rushed 135 times for 1,134 yards and 10 touchdowns.
No wonder he has a serious shot at winning the Heisman.
Pac-12 football power rankings: Washington vs. Oregon for Pac-12 title, playoff berth
David Pollack explains why Jayden Daniels would get his Heisman vote...
"To me every week that I turn on the television and I watch, he's the best player."
Full interview: https://t.co/zUbYZpmrm7 pic.twitter.com/7wkwQcBlH7— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) November 27, 2023
ASU football fans saw Jayden Daniels' potential in Tempe
ASU fans caught glimpses of Daniels' potential in his time in Tempe. His best season with the Sun Devils was his freshman season in 2019, when he completed 205 of 338 attempts (60.7%) for 2,943 yards and 17 touchdowns, with two passes intercepted.
But it has to sting to see the former heralded recruit reach these lofty heights with LSU, especially as the Arizona State program struggled to a 3-9 season.
Interestingly, Daniels' top competition for the award comes from two quarterbacks from his old conference, the Pac-12.
Look back: LSU QB Jayden Daniels on leaving ASU football, locker video
These are just objective numbers
I'm sorry there is JUST NO WAY that there is any choice for Heisman but Jayden Daniels
Yes, I'm biased, but explain away this breakdown please pic.twitter.com/nCtYsChU8w— T-Bob Hebert (@TBob53) November 28, 2023
Bo Nix, Michael Penix Jr. in Heisman Trophy race with Jayden Daniels
Oregon QB Bo Nix has his Ducks at 11-1 overall. He's completed 78.6% of his throws (315-for-401) for 3,906 yards and 37 touchdowns, with just two passes picked off.
Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. has the Huskies at 12-0 on the season. He's gone 280-for-427 passing (65.6%) for 3.,899 yards and 32 touchdowns, with eight passes intercepted.
Nix and Penix Jr. have one final opportunity to impress voters as they face off in the Pac-12 Championship Game on Friday night.
More: Oregon football vs. Washington picks, predictions, odds: Who wins Pac-12 Championship Game?
I’ve conducted 3 polls in past 3 weeks asking who gets your Heisman vote (& will do so again after Pac-12 title game). The polls received total of 89,075 votes
The results:
Jayden Daniels, LSU 44.7%
Bo Nix, Oregon 32.8%
Michael Penix, 16.2%
Marvin Harrison, Ohio St 6.3%— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) November 28, 2023
Jayden Daniels has the stats, but what about team success?
Daniels' regular season is done as the Tigers went 9-3 overall.
Will his team's record hurt him or will he possibly be helped by SEC voters giving him their votes?
Heisman votes are due on Monday, Dec. 4, the same day finalists for the award will be announced.
The Heisman Trophy ceremony is on Saturday, Dec. 9.
Will the former Arizona State QB win it?
He's got a good shot.
Jayden Daniels transfer reaction: Arizona State football 'a mess' under coach Herm Edwards
Chris Doering says Jayden Daniels should have the Heisman locked up:
"Go ahead and send your votes in now, because there is no way you can justify anybody else winning the Heisman Trophy this year."@ChrisDoering | @LSUfootball | @JayD__5 pic.twitter.com/tiQEHmClkp— College Sports on SiriusXM (@SXMCollege) November 27, 2023
Heisman Trophy odds
BetMGM Sportsbook released updated odds for the 2023 Heisman Trophy and Nix, Daniels and Penix Jr. are well ahead of the pack.
Nix is at -150, according to the odds, with Daniels at +120.
Penix Jr. is at +1600.
Alabama QB Jalen Milroe, Georgia QB Carson Beck and Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr. are a distant fourth in the odds, at +15000.
Nix is given a 59.99% chance to win the award, with Daniels at 41.67%. Penix Jr. is at 5.26%.
Look back: LSU football QB Jayden Daniels' mother appears to slam ASU: 'He needs a team to help him'
ESPN Analyst & commentator Kirk Herbstreit just predicted #LSU QB Jayden Daniels will win the Heisman Trophy & have a future in the #NFL. https://t.co/mD5mygar9j pic.twitter.com/HSOZhuBQWG
— Lonn Phillips Sullivan (@LonnPhillips) November 25, 2023
Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside.
BEST BETS: These are the best Arizona college football betting sites
VOTE: Who would you vote for to win the #Heisman Trophy, if you had a vote? (Could former #ASUfootball QB win award?: https://t.co/gGndpHcwpv) #ASU #ForksUp #LSU #LSUFootball #LSUTigers #GoDucks #OregonDucks #UDUB #UWHuskies
— azcentral sports (@azcsports) November 28, 2023
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
Support local journalism: Subscribe to azcentral.com today.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: LSU QB Jayden Daniels could win Heisman over Bo Nix, Michael Penix Jr.
