LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels announces return for 2023 season
LSU starting quarterback Jayden Daniels announced his plans to return to school for another season in 2023, forgoing the NFL Draft.
After transferring from Arizona State, Daniels posted 2,774 passing yards with a career-high 68.5% completion rate this season on the way to LSU’s SEC title game appearance. He finished with a 16-to-3 touchdown-to-interception ratio, as well as 818 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns.
“I am returning for the 2023 season to fulfill the goal of an LSU Tiger and bring our fans another championship,” Daniels wrote. “Now, let’s focus on getting this Citrus Bowl victory and securing out 10th win of this season to set up even more success.”
Daniels returning to LSU for fifth collegiate season
On ESPN analyst Mel Kiper’s first edition of the big board, Daniels was the No. 8 draft-eligible quarterback. However, he now has the opportunity to move further up the board for 2024.
Prior to his transfer to LSU, Daniels accumulated 6,023 passing yards over three seasons. In the 2021 season, he had 10 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
“I would not trade any of it because those moments built me into who I am today,” Daniels wrote. “Louisiana has accepted me as their own and there is nothing like Saturday Nights in Tiger Stadium.”
Daniels was a four-star prospect coming out of Cajon (San Bernadino) High School in California. He was the No. 50 overall recruit in the 2019 signing class and the No. 3 quarterback, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.
Several of Daniels’ teammates have declared for the NFL draft and opted out of the Citrus Bowl, however, the quarterback will once again lead the team in primetime action next month. The No. 17 LSU Tigers take on the Purdue Boilermakers in the Cheez-it Citrus Bowl on Jan. 2. According to the ESPN matchup predictor, the Tigers are favored by 68.4%.