Brian Kelly on Jayden Daniels preparation: 'Exactly where we wanted it to be'

Jayden Daniels is exactly where he wants to be ahead of the 2023 season, according to LSU head coach Brian Kelly.

“We’ve seen his growth off the field in terms of his work in the community, his ability to lead; he’s been named captain,” Kelly said during Wednesday’s SEC teleconference. “He’s developed in a manner that, when you see his work in practice, you see a more complete quarterback. And those are the things that we’re mapping out. He’s stronger physically. He’s put on the right weight. He’s healthy in all those areas.”

“Now, it’s about flipping that switch and going from all this preparation to performance. And my experience tells me if you’ve prepared the right way in all of those facets, the performance kind of takes care of itself. So now it’s just a matter of waiting for that opportunity and then taking advantage of it.”

Daniels finished his first season with the Tigers having thrown for 2,913 yards, 17 touchdowns and three interceptions on a 68.6% completion percentage. He also contributed 885 rushing yards and 11 more touchdowns on the ground.

Whether he can add to those numbers won’t be enough to cement his chances at a college football’s top individual prize in 2023 — the Heisman Trophy. Instead, that will be predicated by LSU’s win-loss record. A one-loss, or even an undefeated Tigers team led by Daniels heading into their first College Football Playoff berth since 2019 would be hard to argue. His stats would just come with the territory.

The No. 5-ranked Tigers face an immediate hurdle on the road to that goal, facing another top-ranked program in No. 8 Florida State in the season opener. Both teams are in similar positions within their conference, and have quarterbacks expected to succeed on a national scale.

Both programs opened last season with a thrilling 24-23 display that saw Florida State overcome LSU thanks to a last-second missed PAT from the Tigers. Daniels would contribute 323 total offensive yards and combined for two scores against the ‘Noles, but it ultimately wasn’t enough to get the job done. Starting the season off on the right foot could go a long way toward that goal.

Whether a College Football Playoff run under Daniels’ lead in 2023 is on the table remains to be seen, but most experts wouldn’t advise you on betting betting against one of the most dynamic college football players in the country.