We’ve finally hit a lull in the college football offseason, with most of the news coverage of each team’s transfer classes complete. While fans wait to see and hear what’s going on with their teams during spring practice, major media organizations begin revisiting their old faithful content ideas.
ESPN’s Bill Connelly got in on the fun Friday morning with his ranking of the top 100 college football quarterbacks of the 2000s, which, as expected, included former LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels at No. 20.
Oct 14, 2023; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) warms up before a game against the Auburn Tigers at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-USA TODAY Sports
Daniels, much like another legendary LSU quarterback who made ESPN’s list, took some time to get going. He had a relatively unceremonious career through 2022, but in his final collegiate season, he took the country by storm. Daniels led the No. 1 offense in the country in 2023, averaging 45.5 points per game — more than a full point ahead of the next-closest team. He won the AP Player of the Year Award, the Davey O’Brien Award, the Heisman Trophy, the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, the Manning Award, and the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award.
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Daniels’ final collegiate season didn’t feature the same level of team success as some of the other quarterbacks ESPN named to their list — largely because of a Tiger defense that ranked 106th among FBS teams in ESPN’s defensive efficiency rating and dead last in the SEC — but his 2023 season was spectacular on an individual level.
The former Tigers’ ranking feels fair, placing him behind Andrew Luck, Matt Leinart, and Jameis Winston, respectively. He finished ahead of several other top quarterbacks from his era, including Bryce Young (21), C.J. Stroud (22), Tua Tagovailoa (23), and Caleb Williams (24).
Though it’s disappointing that Daniels was unable to enjoy the team success he deserved during that incredible 2023 season, it’s good to see the media giving him the respect he deserves.
This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: Where LSU football’s Jayden Daniels ranks on ESPN’s CFB QB rankings
