For the second consecutive year and the fifth time in the last seven years, a transfer quarterback has claimed the Heisman Trophy. Jayden Daniels, who commenced his college journey at Arizona State before transferring to LSU in 2022, secured the prestigious individual award on Saturday night. Daniels showcased an exceptional season, accumulating 4,946 yards of offense (3,812 passing yards and 1,134 rushing yards) and contributing 50 total touchdowns.
In the Heisman Trophy race, Daniels received 503 first-place votes and a total of 2,029 points, surpassing fellow transfer quarterbacks Michael Penix Jr. from Washington (292 first place, 1,701 total) and Bo Nix from Oregon (51 first place, 885 total). Additionally, Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (20 first place, 352 total) and Florida State’s Jordan Travis, who received eight first-place votes for 85 total points, were also contenders in the ceremony held at Lincoln Center in New York City.
Jayden Daniels’ victory in the Heisman Trophy race was notable not only for the achievement itself but also for the slim margin of 328 points over Michael Penix, making it the closest Heisman voting since 2018.
Expressing his gratitude, Daniels called winning the Heisman “a dream come true” and extended his thanks to teammates at both Arizona State and LSU. The 22-year-old quarterback from San Bernardino, California, is unique in winning the Heisman while not being part of a team that played for a conference title, a distinction that hadn’t occurred since 2016. the second consecutive
Daniels led several statistical categories in the FBS, including QBR (95.7), yards per attempt (11.7, setting an FBS record), passing touchdowns (40), and completions of 20 yards or more (70). His 72.2% completion rate ranked seventh nationally, and his total offensive yards per game (412.2) led all players, outpacing the next best by 74 yards.
As a rusher, Daniels demonstrated remarkable proficiency, ranking among the top running backs in yards per game and securing fourth place in rushing yards per attempt among all FBS running backs. His running game has steadily improved since entering college, evident in his more than tripled rushing yards total in 2023 compared to 2019.