Brian Kelly shares what makes Jayden Daniels special off the field
Brian Kelly believes Jayden Daniels is a special football player, both on and off the field for the LSU Tigers.
While LSU isn’t headed to the College Football Playoff, Daniels could be headed towards the Heisman Trophy. Speaking with the media, Kelly took some time to examine what makes his quarterback a tremendous off-field asset, highlighting his best attributes.
“Approachable – and, when I say approachable, I mean he has never been a guy that has built a bubble around himself,” Kelly said. “He has been a guy that has, I think, made himself available everybody on the team, whether it’s an offensive player or a defensive player. When somebody comes in and transfers in? Their guard is up. His has always been one where he has been approachable. He has always been somebody that has reached out to others on our football team. I just think that has made our entire team embrace him because he has been so readily available to everybody on our team – not just the offensive players but the defensive players.”
“His demeanor, his personality? You see him smiling on the sideline all the time. That’s the way he is whether he’s in meetings, whether he’s in the football building. He has that personality and I think it’s infectious.”
When you have a quarterback that’s as awesome off the field as he is on it, you’re in good hands, and that’s exactly what Brian Kelly has. Jayden Daniels will continue to be spectacular, and his potential is unlimited, wherever his career takes him.
Mel Kiper circles Jayden Daniels as a riser on NFL Draft boards
Continuing, it’s no surprise that LSU star quarterback Jayden Daniels is quickly rising up NFL draft boards.
The Heisman candidate has been one of the biggest stars of the college football season and put together his best game of the year this past weekend against Florida, accounting for over 600 yards of offense and five touchdowns.
ESPN NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. loves what he has seen from Daniels this season. Kiper shared his opinion of Daniels on Monday Blitz this afternoon on ESPN.
“I think he could be the fourth-highest rated quarterback by the time we get to the end of this week, when I’ve finalized the rankings on ESPN.com, behind Caleb Williams, Drake Maye and Shedeur Sanders. He could be at No. 4,” Kiper said.
There is a lot to like about Jayden Daniels, who has made plays with his arm and legs all season.
The senior has 3,164 passing yards, with 30 touchdowns and four interceptions, as well as 918 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns, with two games still remaining.
Kiper said it’s rare to have someone who not only excels as a playmaker but also protects the football.
“It’s rare to find a game manager, who is also a supreme playmaker. And that’s what Jayden Daniels is. [He has] 47 touchdowns, only seven picks over the last two years. He’s at 70 percent completion percentage, with 19 rushing touchdowns,” Kiper said. “His deep ball accuracy and touch. His ability to, when he runs, you know he’s elusive. You know he can run through tacklers, can run through contact. He, to me, is a heck of a football player. He’s a tough kid. I want him on my team. And I think he is rising. I’ve got a second-round grade right now on Jayden Daniels.”
On3’s Matt Connolly contributed to this article.