Mike Leach was well aware of Jayden Daniels before his LSU arrival

Mike Leach is a coach that is primarily known for his offensive system. As one of the most important Air Raid figures, that’s probably a fair way to think about him. But, as a head coach, you need to be prepared in every phase of the game. This week, that means being prepared to stop dual-threat quarterback Jayden Daniels.

During a press conference, Mike Leach was asked about what stood out to him about LSU. He was asked, in particular, about quarterback Jayden Daniels, who came to LSU as a transfer from Arizona State.

“Good players,” Mike Leach said. “He’s a good player. We played him when he was at Arizona State.”

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When Mike Leach says “we,” he doesn’t mean Mississippi State. He means Washington State, the school he was at before coming to Starkville. In that meeting, Daniels was a freshman who torched the Cougars’ defense for 363 yards, three passing touchdowns, and another rushing touchdown.

“Can definitely help himself out with his feet and, you know, as coverage breaks down and he throws it up, you can be in trouble if you don’t keep track of him. So, sometimes he gives you two things to keep track of,” Mike Leach explained.

“LSU is a little bit tough to evaluate from the standpoint they’ve got a lot of new faces. They were big into the transfer thing. So, we’ll see how all those guys turn out, and it’s still, I think it’s still unfolding.”

Mississippi State travels to Death Valley to open up SEC play on Saturday, September 17th.

Mike Leach on Brian Kelly

Mike Leach didn’t just comment on Jayden Daniels, he also had plenty to say about LSU coach Brian Kelly. In particular, he wants you to know that Kelly isn’t a sweater wearer.

“I’ve known him from a distance for a long time,” Mike Leach said. “I was in small college the same time he was, I’ve always liked him. He’s a guy that takes the X’s and O’s seriously. He’s not this business – there’s a few sweater wearers, you know, they just want to wear the sweater and point various directions and things like that, just kind of a PR figure.”

“But he’s not that. He’s always been in the thick of it, a very knowledgeable X’s and O’s guy, so I’ve always liked him.”