The Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels took the NFL by storm in his rookie season. Selected second overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, Daniels threw for 3,568 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions while completing 69% of his passes. He also rushed for 891 yards and 6 touchdowns, showcasing his dual-threat ability. His efforts earned him a 100.1 passer rating and set Commanders’ records for rookie quarterback rushing yards. In the playoffs, Daniels delivered stellar performances, throwing for 567 yards, 4 touchdowns, and no interceptions across two games.
A favorite to win the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award, Daniels’ playstyle combines elite passing accuracy with explosive rushing ability, making him one of the most promising young quarterbacks in the league. Before reaching NFL stardom, Daniels made a name in college, splitting his career between Arizona State and LSU, where he propelled to new heights as a dual-threat quarterback and achieved historic success.
Jayden Daniels’ College Journey: From Arizona State to LSU
Daniels began his college career at Arizona State in 2019 as a four-star recruit from San Bernardino, California. Ranked as the No. 2 dual-threat quarterback in his class, Daniels chose Arizona State over offers from Ohio State, Penn State, and USC. As a true freshman, he threw for 2,943 yards, 17 touchdowns, and just 2 interceptions while rushing for 355 yards and 3 touchdowns. Daniels led the Sun Devils to an 8-5 record, including a Sun Bowl win over Florida State, and earned Pac-12 Honorable Mention Freshman Offensive Player of the Year honors.
In three seasons at Arizona State, Daniels played in 29 games, passing for 6,024 yards, 32 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions while rushing for 1,288 yards and 13 touchdowns. Despite his individual success, Daniels’ junior season in 2021 was overshadowed by a recruiting scandal and coaching turnover within the program. Arizona State finished 8-5, but the instability prompted Daniels to enter the transfer portal in early 2022.
Daniels transferred to LSU for the 2022 season and quickly won the starting quarterback job. In his first season with the Tigers, he threw for 2,913 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions while rushing for 885 yards and 11 touchdowns. LSU finished 10-4, appearing in the SEC Championship Game and winning the Citrus Bowl. Daniels’ performance set the foundation for a historic 2023 campaign.
Achievements And Records
In 2023, Jayden Daniels produced one of the most dominant seasons in college football history. He passed for 3,812 yards, 40 touchdowns, and just 4 interceptions while completing 72.2% of his passes. On the ground, Daniels rushed for 1,134 yards and 10 touchdowns, setting LSU records for single-season rushing yards and touchdowns by a quarterback. He also set an SEC record for total offense in a game, racking up 606 yards against Florida, where he became the first FBS player to pass for 350+ yards and rush for 200+ yards in the same game.
Daniels’ remarkable season earned him the 2023 Heisman Trophy, Davey O’Brien Award, and numerous other honors, including All-American recognition and SEC Offensive Player of the Year. Over his five-year college career, Daniels totaled 12,749 passing yards, 89 touchdowns, and 20 interceptions with a 66.3% completion rate. He also rushed for 3,307 yards and 34 touchdowns, solidifying his place as one of the most prolific dual-threat quarterbacks in NCAA history. Daniels led LSU to a 10-3 record in 2023, capping the season with a victory over Wisconsin in the ReliaQuest Bowl.
