The votes are in. Jayden Daniels of LSU has won the Heisman Trophy, beating out Michael Penix of Washington and Bo Nix of Oregon.
LSU Tigers Wire — as you might expect — has a lot to say about the big story. Columnist Will Rosenblatt noted quite accurately that Jayden Daniels needed and found the right situation:
“The pandemic disrupted the sport and Daniels played just four games in 2020. The situation at ASU deteriorated as recruiting violations took center stage and the NCAA rolled into town, forcing several staff changes.
“Daniels couldn’t settle down and in 2021, he posted the worst performance of his career, throwing 10 picks and averaging just 183.2 pass yards per game.
“Following the 2021 season, Daniels hit the transfer portal. He ended up at LSU, a key piece of Brian Kelly’s rebuild.
“2022 wasn’t perfect, but Daniels delivered in big moments, particularly in LSU’s home upset over Alabama.”
What is true for Daniels — escaping the mess with Herm Edwards at Arizona State to find his sweet spot at LSU — also applies to Penix at Washington and Nix at Oregon.
Penix thrived under Kalen DeBoer, the man uniquely suited to help him play better. When Penix did not have DeBoer at Indiana (because DeBoer left IU to coach Fresno State), he struggled. As soon as the two reunited at Washington, Penix thrived again and blossomed into an elite player.
Bo Nix at Auburn was not an especially good player. He showed how talented he was on some occasions, but consistent play eluded him. He needed Oregon — and its excellent offensive line — to give him a clean pocket and the time needed to make throws. Nix had pieces in place to enable him to play well, something he rarely if ever had at Auburn.
For all three of the top Heisman vote getters, the right situation mattered. Keep that in mind as we contemplate the quarterbacks moving in the transfer portal.
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