Brian Kelly reveals strengths of Jayden Daniels in LSU quarterback room
Brian Kelly has yet to name a starting quarterback for his LSU Tigers season opener against the Florida State Seminoles. He is currently down to two selections, Arizona State transfer quarterback Jayden Daniels and sophomore Garrett Nussmeier. During a recent press conference, Kelly revealed the strengths of Daniels in the LSU quarterback room and on the field he has seen so far.
“I would say probably management of the offense, in terms of getting people lined up getting the offense running smoothly efficiently,” said Kelly. “And I think the guys feel a sense of calm when he’s out there because he’s done it before. He’s getting guys lined up. There’s an authority in the way he talks to the guys out there. We call it C.L.A.P: Clear, Loud, As an order, Pause.
“He’s clear, loud, talks like it’s an order, and then there’s always a pause so you can hear it. I think that helps a lot because people know he’s played, and when he’s out there, guys really tune into him. And I think that that’s a comfort level.”
Daniels has been Arizona State’s starting quarterback for each of the past three seasons, first getting the nod in 2019, his true freshman season. That year, he threw for 2,943 passing yards, 17 touchdowns and just two interceptions, while holding a 60.7 percent completion rate; all the while, he rushed for 355 yards and three touchdowns. He ended the year as an honorable mention for Pac-12 freshman offensive player of the year. This past season, he threw for 2,380 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions on a 65.4 percent completion rate. His effectiveness on the ground only improved, as he ran for 710 yards and six touchdowns.
Kayshon Boutte has impressed Brian Kelly early in LSU camp
The LSU Tigers’ transition from Ed Orgeron to Brian Kelly at head coach has had a few hiccups along the way. Those almost led to the Tigers’ star wide receiver Kayshon Boutte hopping into the transfer portal this offseason. Fortunately, that wasn’t the case for LSU, as he remains on the roster. Boutte’s decision to stay has been sending positive vibes throughout the program. And with him back at practice, coach Kelly has been impressed by what he’s seen early in camp.
“Kayshon Boutte is practicing. He got the number 7 jersey,” said On3’s JD PicKell on a recent episode of The Hard Count. “It was his first time to rock it. He was hurt in the spring. Kayshon Boutte, it was somewhat well documented, he and Brian Kelly had a rift. If we’re reading between the lines, Brian Kelly made it sound like Kayshon Boutte still has some ways to go in terms of buying into what we’re doing here.
“So far, from the report from fall camp, the intel is Brian Kelly, and Kayshon Boutte are in a good place. And Brian Kelly was very complimentary of Kayshon Boutte. He said he practices really hard; he’s so committed and worked so hard. He’s still figuring out how to practice the way we want to practice, but he’s committed, and we’re really pleased with how he’s bought in.”