The Heisman Trophy Conversation: LSU QB Jayden Daniels Emerging

Daniels showing no signs of slowing down, stuffed the stat sheet once again versus Auburn.

LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels shined once again against Auburn on Saturday in Tiger Stadium, continuing to solidify his name in the Heisman Trophy conversation.

Daniels has propelled the LSU offense to new heights this season, and as the back half of the season takes shape, the Tigers' QB1 has the chance to make his way to New York City as a finalist for the prestigious award.

Brian Kelly has already provided his two cents when it comes to Daniels and the award. The numbers his signal-caller has put up on a routine basis ranks among the best of them in college football and Kelly once again chimed in on the award during Monday's press conference.  

Brian Kelly Weighs In:

“The Heisman has become such a promotional piece and the flavor of the week. I’ve told the guys I’ve been involved with, ‘look you’re not going to have control over this other than being consistent in the things you do. They’re going to have opinions that range from one side to the other. Your focus is consistency and performance. It will take care of itself.’” Kelly said. “Other than that, they’ll say ‘well you’re not playing well enough on defense’, which has nothing to do with the Heisman. If that was the case, they should have not given the Heisman to Caleb [Williams] last year when they lost to Tulane. The fact of the matter is it’s about your consistency and performance and the rest of the narratives will float from A to Z and you can’t focus on those.”

The Heisman Conversation:

The Riser: LSU QB Jayden Daniels 

It's no secret Daniels has his back against the wall in the Heisman Trophy conversation after LSU suffered two early-season losses, but the Tigers' signal-caller is surging as of late.

The third best odds to take home the award, Daniels is on pace to be a finalist and make his way to New York City.

The Numbers: 2,294 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, 3 interceptions, 73.1 completion percentage. On the ground? 515 yards and 4 touchdowns.

Vegas Odds: +850 (Caesars Sportsbook)

The Favorite: Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. 

Penix Jr. is in the midst of a historic season with the Huskies. The dynamic lefty has flown to the top over the last few weeks with the best odds to take home the award.

Now, after a critical victory over Oregon, the senior signal-caller has Washington sitting at 6-0 as the No. 5 team in America. 

The Numbers: 2,301 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, 3 interceptions, 72.1 completion percentage 

Vegas Odds: -140 (Caesars Sportsbook)

Jayden Daniels has been a man on a mission. The Tigers’ QB1 continues his unstoppable play this season as he puts #LSU on his back.

15/21 passing
71% completion percentage
259 yards passing
130 yards rushing
4 total touchdowns

That’s a Heisman candidate if you ask me. pic.twitter.com/K2RVJ1rXAC

— Zack Nagy (@znagy20) October 7, 2023

The Second Best Odds: Oklahoma QB Dillon Gabriel 

Oklahoma signal-caller Dillon Gabriel is riding a high in Norman as the Sooners continue a meteoric rise up the rankings. Gabriel and Co. took down the Texas Longhorns in Week 6, further establishing himself as a top candidate for the award.

The Sooners now sit at No. 6 in the AP Poll after the bye week with an opportunity to win out and place themselves in the College Football Playoff conversation. 

The Numbers: 1,878 passing yards, 16 touchdowns, 2 interceptions, 72.3 completion percentage. On the ground? 208 rushing yards and five scores.

Vegas Odds: +800 (Caesars Sportsbook)

Trending Downward: USC QB Caleb Williams 

Caleb Williams entered the season with an opportunity to take home back-to-back Heisman's, but after an embarrassing loss to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Saturday, it's put a damper in Williams' chances to take home the trophy once again.

The likely No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft has been on a tear this season, but after a difficult showing against Notre Dame, Williams saw his Heisman odds plummet with the Trojans falling to No. 18 in the AP Poll.

The Numbers: 2,021 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, 4 interceptions, 70 completion percentage. On the ground? 116 rushing yards with six touchdowns.

Vegas Odds: +2200 (Caesars Sportsbook)