NFL Draft Profile: Jayden Daniels, Quarterback, LSU Tigers

NFL Draft profile scouting report for LSU QB Jayden Daniels

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#5
Pos: QB
Ht: 6021
Wt: 185
40: 5.19
DOB: 12/18/2000
Hometown: San Bernardino, CA
High School: Cajon
Eligibility: 2023

Jayden Daniels
LSU Tigers

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One-Liner:

Athletic quarterback with a quick load and release but has accuracy issues and inconsistencies in his throwing motion.

Evaluation:

While at Arizona State, Jayden Daniels has been a starter since he first stepped on campus. In his offense, Daniels has experience making full-field and half-field reads. He possesses a compact throwing motion and keeps his elbow tight which allows for a quick load and release with little wasted movement. He has the arm to make difficult throws but will take check-downs when needed. His drops are relatively consistent and the footwork is smooth. When pressured, Daniels is capable of making throws while stepping into pressure. When plays break down you see Daniels as a decisive runner and will make defenders miss. He has good speed and looks comfortable with the ball. Runs read options, speed options, as well as quarterback power. Despite having a lot of experience as a starter, Daniels has yet to fix issues that have plagued him since his first year. He has an inconsistent throwing motion that hurts his accuracy, timing, and power. He has a short throwing stride and that tops off his power until he changes it. He generally doesn't engage his lower body in his motion and puts added stress on his upper body. When he gets his throws off, he lacks appropriate placement and timing along the sideline. Despite going through most of his progressions well, a lot of his errors happen after his second read where he flusters and forces bad passes. As a quarterback who has been a starter since his freshman year of high school, Jayden Daniels is who you want as the leader of your offense. As effective of a runner as a passer, he has no athletic limitations. With experience consistently making several reads and going through progressions, he has however lacked consistent growth. Daniels still has concerns with connecting his throwing motion with his legs to get the most out of his arm. For that, he has shown inconsistencies with ball placement and capped arm strength.

Grade:

UDFA

Background

4-star recruit out of San Bernardino, California. Born on December 18th, 2000. Started all four years at Cajon High School. Threw for over 14,000 yards and 170 touchdown passes. 3,645 rushing yards as well. Alumni of the Under Armour All-American game. Committed to Arizona State on December 13th, 2018. Started all but one game during his freshman campaign in 2019. Totaled 2,943 passing yards and a 17:2 TD:INT ratio. Added 335 rushing yards and three scores on the ground. Honorable Mention Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year in 2019. During COVID-shortened 2020 campaign, started all four games. Was named to Davey O'Brien Award Watch List prior to the 2020 campaign. Transferred from Arizona State to LSU for the 2022 season.

12/3/21 NFL Draft: Arizona State QB Returning for Another Year