Jayden Daniels – Page 189 – Syndication Server

ESPN breaks down LSU’s quarterback competition after spring ball

Who will start under center for the Tigers this fall?

Spring practice is in the books, but we still don’t have much better of an idea of who will be lining up under center for the Tigers this fall.

There are three primary contenders: [autotag]Myles Brennan[/autotag] — a veteran who has dealt with injuries the past two seasons — [autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag] — a transfer who was a three-year starter at Arizona State — and [autotag]Garrett Nussmeier[/autotag], a redshirt freshman who impressed in the spring game.

Though Nussmeier’s performance was arguably the best of the three, that alone is not enough to win the job, especially considering he lacks experience when compared to the other two.

We’ll have to wait until fall camp to get any official announcement, but ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg tried his hand at predicting each of the top ongoing quarterback battles, and LSU’s cracked the list.

Brian Kelly’s first quarterback competition as LSU coach is among the most fascinating in the country. He inherits a room with a 23-year-old former starter who needs to get healthy in Brennan, as well as a transfer with multiple years of starting experience in Daniels. But Nussmeier generated most of the buzz this spring, impressing the new coaches with his skills and ability to execute a different scheme. Despite being a top-65 national recruit in 2021, Nussmeier has been overlooked at times, especially when Daniels transferred in from Arizona State and Brennan opted to return for a sixth and final season. LSU also added Walker Howard, ESPN’s No. 42 overall recruit in the 2022 class, who likely won’t factor into this year’s QB race.

Daniels, who started 29 games for Arizona State, didn’t transfer to LSU to sit out. He must absorb the new offense and make some mechanical tweaks to try and recapture the form he displayed in 2019, when he passed for nearly 3,000 yards with 17 touchdowns and only two interceptions, immediately entering the NFL draft radar. Brennan, who had a solid start in 2020 before injuries derailed that season and the next, could be the safest option for Kelly. Nussmeier’s excellent spring could change the equation, though, especially if he builds on his performance early in camp.

Week 1 starter prediction: Daniels. He must hold off Nussmeier, which could be difficult, but with the right adjustments in footwork and throwing motion, the ASU transfer should get the first shot for LSU. Kelly and his staff likely will want to see what they can get from Daniels before changing course at QB.

Daniels’ performance in the spring game was a bit underwhelming, but it’s understandable considering when he arrived. He likely still needed to learn more of the playbook at that point, and we should have a much better idea where he stands during fall camp.

He certainly didn’t transfer to LSU with the intention of sitting on the bench, and though Brennan and Nussmeier still have a very good shot, it makes sense to see Daniels as the current leader in the clubhouse despite an underwhelming first outing in the purple and gold.

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Breaking down each LSU quarterback’s best trait

Each of the quarterbacks in LSU’s competition has a different skill set. Here’s what all of them are best at.

Every quarterback is different.

With all the skills that go into playing the position, there are so many variables that determine who a quarterback is. How far can he throw it? Is he accurate? Can he run? Can he throw on the run?

Those are just a few of the physical traits and that’s before we even start talking about mental ability. How quickly can a quarterback diagnose a defense? How fast does he move through his progressions? Does he stare down his targets?

The combination of skills is endless. Every quarterback will have their own strengths and weaknesses.

LSU has four scholarship quarterbacks on the roster right now, each with very different skill sets. [autotag]Myles Brennan[/autotag] isn’t remotely the same player that [autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag] is, and [autotag]Garrett Nussmeier[/autotag] has plenty of unique traits as well.

[autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] has made it clear that the offense will be tailored to whoever the starter is, but that doesn’t mean he prefers one skill set to another. Even if Kelly and offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock did have a preference, they wouldn’t say it out loud at this point.

At the end of the day though, it may come down to just that. If they view Brennan, Daniels and Nussmeier in the same light, it could be Daniels’s ability to run that gets him the job. In Nussmeier’s case, it could be his ability to sling it.

Let’s dive right in.

What did we learn about LSU during the spring?

Here are the questions the Tigers answered during the spring and the ones that remain, per ESPN.

With the first spring practice under new coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] all wrapped up, we have a few months to reflect on what we’ve heard from practice and what we saw in the spring game before this team takes the field again in the fall.

The Tigers entered this offseason with a lot of questions after roster turnover forced them to be aggressive in the transfer portal. Some of its offseason acquisitions through the portal and recruiting are still yet to arrive on campus, but we are still starting to get a good idea of what this depth chart might look like in 2022.

ESPN’s Alex Scarborough and Chris Low broke down each SEC team’s spring practice, listing the things we learned during the spring and the questions that still need to be answered by the fall. Here’s what they said about Kelly’s squad.

What we learned this spring: Brian Kelly inherited a roster filled with holes, which is why he was so active in the transfer portal. But last month’s spring game was a reminder that LSU is not without talent. Defensive tackle Maason Smith is a star in the making, and freshman offensive lineman Will Campbell is as solid an anchor to build around as you’re going to find in the SEC. The running back room is well stocked with the return of John Emery Jr., and the receivers should fare well once Kayshon Boutte recovers from last year’s injury. The big question is at quarterback, but even then all of Kelly’s options — Myles Brennan, Jayden Daniels and Garrett Nussmeier — have experience and have shown they have the talent to compete at a high level.

What we need to learn by Week 1: It goes without saying that Kelly will have to quickly find his starting quarterback. Daniels is the most dynamic option given his ability as a runner, but Brennan is savvy and a good caretaker of the ball. Nussmeier, meanwhile, has a live arm but is unpredictable. Taking a step back, though, the overall roster still needs work between now and fall camp. There are a lot of positions that are too thin in terms of scholarship players, including cornerback, where Kelly focused a lot of his efforts by bringing in four transfers.

The quarterback battle is certain to dominate the discussion over the coming months, especially after inconclusive performances in the spring game. This is a battle that could be waged up until kick-off against Florida State in Week 1.

But there are certainly other questions, and while there aren’t many clear positions of weakness when it comes to the starters, there are several areas where the depth is a bit concerning, to say the least.

Kelly still has a lot to figure out heading into fall camp, but this is a talented roster with a higher ceiling than most Year 1 SEC coaches would normally have. The only question is how high that ceiling actually is.

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Plenty of reasons for optimism as LSU finishes up spring ball

Spring practice has now concluded, and LSU fans have plenty of reasons for spring optimism.

Spring practice is now over, and tt will be a while before things pick up again for [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] and LSU.

It was an eventful spring with more buzz than usual. That’s what happens when a $95 million coach is making his first impressions leading a team with a handful of new players.

Not to mention the position battle at quarterback, the new-look secondary, and all the question marks on the offensive line. We had a lot to talk about this spring. So, now that’s it over and the dust has settled, how should Tigers fans be feeling?

We’re going to take some time to feel good about where LSU is at, some spring optimism if you will.

Spring practice served as a reminder that there is still plenty of talent on this team, some of which we didn’t even get to see over the last few weeks. The wide receiver group looks like a strength, and that was without [autotag]Kayshon Boutte[/autotag], who could be one of the best players in the country upon his return this fall.

These pass catchers are going to be fun to watch and be a major boost to whoever ends up throwing to them.

On defense, the front looks good, almost great. Defensive lines are critical to finding success in the SEC, and LSU has a handful of guys up front with NFL talent. They can pose a threat to even the best offensive lines in the SEC.

Linebacker looks like it’s the deepest it’s been in years with [autotag]Greg Penn III[/autotag] taking steps forward along with returning veterans like [autotag]Mike Jones Jr.[/autotag] and [autotag]Micah Baskerville[/autotag]. That doesn’t even account for [autotag]Harold Perkins[/autotag], one of the highest-rated linebackers ever signed by LSU who will be arriving soon.

The secondary is still a huge question mark, but [autotag]Greg Brooks Jr.[/autotag] and [autotag]Joe Foucha[/autotag] look like they’re going to be reliable players that play a big part in the rebuild of that group.

The defense is in a much better spot than it was a year ago.

It won’t matter how good the defense is if the quarterback and offensive line aren’t figured out, but there are some reasons to start feeling good there.

There are talented options in the quarterback room, and each of them seems to be progressing while also earning the respect of the team. LSU doesn’t need a Heisman candidate under center next year, just someone who can run the offense. [autotag]Myles Brennan[/autotag], [autotag]Garrett Nussmeier[/autotag], and [autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag] all seem capable at this point, and at least one of them should turn into an SEC level starter by the fall.

The offensive line is going to have its bad moments this year, but it finished spring with some consistency as [autotag]Will Campbell[/autotag] held down the left tackle position. If Campbell ends up starting there, he will have times where he looks like a true freshman, but at the same time, you can’t help but wonder if LSU has found their elite left tackle to anchor the line for a few years.

Spring practice served as a time for Kelly to implement his program, to right the ship. It seems like that is what happened. This looks like a program with a clear direction led by someone who knows where he’s going. LSU hasn’t had that for a couple of years, and it’s refreshing to see.

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Five remaining questions for LSU’s football team heading into fall camp

We have some more clarity as we emerge from the spring, but there’s a lot more to be learned as LSU heads into the summer.

LSU had its spring game on Saturday, marking the end of the first spring practice with coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] at the helm.

The quarterbacks have been the biggest discussion point all spring and that won’t change as we move toward the fall. There are also some areas where we have more clarity now, such as the offensive line and linebacker rooms.

In the secondary, it looks like [autotag]Greg Brooks Jr.[/autotag] and [autotag]Joe Foucha[/autotag], both Louisiana natives who transferred from Arkansas, are emerging as leaders.

However, there are plenty of questions that remain as Kelly has only been on the job for a few months. Much of spring practice was about solidifying the transition and installing the new playbooks.

On top of that, there could still be some players yet to come and go. After spring, players could have a better idea of their situation at a given school and elect to transfer. That could kick off a second round of transfers, and LSU still has a couple of roster spots left to use.

It’ll be a long time until we see LSU out on the field again, which means a lot can change before LSU takes the field against Florida State in New Orleans. Here are some remaining questions as it gears up for the break during the summer.

WATCH: Walker Howard scores first touchdown in Death Valley on a long pass

Howard concluded Saturday’s scrimmage with a deep touchdown pass on a wheel route, his first in a Tigers uniform.

It only took[autotag] Walker Howard[/autotag] a few quarters to throw the first touchdown pass of his career as a Bayou Bengal.

From the shotgun formation in the fourth quarter, Howard hit running back [autotag]Corren Norman[/autotag] on a wheel route over the left side for a 64-yard touchdown pass, the first of what will hopefully be many more to come for the young freshman from Lafayette, Louisiana.

It has been a fun day watching the new-look Tigers and their stable of quarterbacks embrace the competition. LSU has a four-man race at the position, and realistically all four of the guys have a shot at winning it.

They all made some good plays on Saturday and shown good command of the offense at times. We will see how it all shakes out in the fall, but for now, the future of LSU at the quarterback position looks very bright. [autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag], [autotag]Myles Brennan[/autotag], [autotag]Garrett Nussmeier[/autotag], and [autotag]Walker Howard[/autotag] can all get the job done.

TOUCHDOWN TIGERS pic.twitter.com/0leFH3p7Fm

— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) April 23, 2022

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Five key takeaways from LSU’s spring game

Here are the takeaway’s from Brian Kelly’s first spring game in Baton Rouge

For the first time ever, Brian Kelly led LSU down victory hill.

It wasn’t a real game, but one could argue it was the first real moment of Kelly’s tenure.

It can be hard to piece together information from spring games, you still have to keep a holistic view of previous knowledge.

All of the eyes in Baton Rouge today were on the quarterbacks. LSU fans got to see Jayden Daniels and Walker Howard in Tiger Stadium for the first time.

In the case of Daniels, it seems like he has really progressed over the course of the spring as he has continued to get comfortable in Baton Rouge. He made some big-time throws, including big plays to Brian Thomas Jr and Jack Bech.

All four quarterbacks were responsible for at least one touchdown drive.

The wide receivers and defensive linemen flashed their talent today, and those two groups are expected to be the strength heading into the fall.

LSU was without star receiver Kayshon Boutte as he still works to get back after his 2021 was cut short due to injury. Garrett Dellinger and Marlon Martinez were also absent, and they are two guys that could compete for time this fall.

With all that said, here are five key takeaways from LSU’s spring game.

Is Garrett Nussmeier emerging as a legit option at QB?

LSU’s quarterback battle may be more than just a two-man competition.

The biggest story surrounding LSU football this spring is the quarterback battle. That will continue to be the case until a starter is finally named, which probably isn’t happening until August.

Despite it being an open competition, many assumed that it was really just a battle between [autotag]Myles Brennan[/autotag] and [autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag]. These are the guys with experience and the guys the coaching staff went out of their way to get on the roster.

But all spring, there have been some signs that Garrett Nussmeier is in the conversation to. Recently, The Athletic’s Brody Miller wrote a story on Nussmeier, stating a staff member said Nussmeier is right in the thick of it.

After [autotag]Walker Howard[/autotag], the highly touted quarterback LSU signed in February, joined the program, many assumed that Nussmeier might not have a future at LSU.

He was sandwiched in-between the veterans and hot-shot freshman. In the age of the transfer portal, not every quarterback would stick around in that situation.

For now, Nussmeier is still here, and he’s competing.

He didn’t play much in 2021, so it’s hard to tell if the sample size is adequate to get some real takeaways. According to PFF, Nussmeier’s average depth of target was 13.6 yards, almost four yards more than Max Johnson’s.

At the same time, Nussmeier said earlier this spring that he is trying to shed that gunslinger label. It’s not that he doesn’t want to sling it, but that label has led some to see Nussmeier as a guy that wasn’t ready, as a guy who took risks for the heck of it and someone who couldn’t go through the basic progressions of an offense.

That being said, it’s still the arm talent that’s drawing the most attention this spring. That’s not to say Nussmeier hasn’t improved in other areas, it sounds like he has, but there’s been tweet after tweet saying Nussmeier just made a dynamite throw throughout the spring.

He’s not going to run a 4.2 forty, but he’s got legs. If the quarterbacks were to race, Daniels would probably win, but Nussmeier might be the guy coming in second.

This isn’t to say Nussmeier should be the favorite to start, it’s probably still one of the older guys. [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] didn’t spend time re-recruiting Brennan and going after Daniels to have them ride the bench, but the best man will play, and Nussmeier has a chance to prove that’s him.

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Where do LSU’s passers stand in SEC quarterback rankings?

The duo of Jayden Daniels and Myles Brennan landed 10th in On3’s SEC quarterback rankings.

This LSU team has a lot to figure out this spring, but much of the discussion so far has centered around the quarterback battle.

There are two primary competitors to win the job: [autotag]Myles Brennan[/autotag], a redshirt senior whose career has been marred by injuries and was talked out of the transfer portal by coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag], and [autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag], the player Kelly added in the transfer portal.

Daniels comes from Arizona State, where he was a three-year starter and had productive seasons in 2019 and 2020 before struggling this past year. He’ll look for more success in Baton Rouge, and many consider him the favorite to win the job.

Regardless of which signal-caller gets the nod initially, On3’s Jesse Simonton ranked LSU’s quarterback position at 10th in the SEC.

Brian Kelly has the rest of the summer and fall to determine who will be his quarterback Week 1 against Florida State, but it wouldn’t surprise me if both Brennan and Daniels, a transfer from Arizona State, see action to start the season. Brennan shocked many when he took his name out of the transfer portal to return to LSU, but then Kelly went and recruited Daniels away from ASU. The Tigers have a shoddy offensive line and their once-vaunted run game has been absent in recent years, but they are loaded at receiver.

As Simonton notes, the quarterback certainly won’t be wanting for targets in the passing game. The Tigers return Kayshon Boutte, one of the top receivers in the nation, as well as other contributors like [autotag]Malik Nabers[/autotag], [autotag]Jack Bech[/autotag] and [autotag]Brian Thomas Jr.[/autotag].

The big challenge for LSU will be up front, where it has to replace four of five starters from a year ago along the offensive line. That could prove to be the limiting factor this season, but given the fact that the Tigers have two veteran players with experience competing for the job, it’s hard to imagine the winner of the job can’t be in the top half of the league’s passers.

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How many games will LSU win in 2022?

247Sports projects the Tigers’ record this coming season.

There are not many teams more difficult to preview than the Tigers. This team went 6-7 last season and has a number of scary positional situations, especially along the offensive line.

Still, the decision to hire [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] as the next head coach brought an influx of both coaching and on-field talent. With a solid haul in the transfer portal and a respectable transition class that included five-star linebacker [autotag]Harold Perkins[/autotag], an in-state prospect Kelly flipped from Texas A&M, this team has some potential.

Bud Elliott and Brad Crawford from 247Sports previewed the entire SEC, with Elliott projecting a win total and Crawford giving his take on that number. For the Tigers, neither was particularly confident.

Elliott pegged LSU at seven wins in 2022, and Crawford said the best bet would be for the Tigers to hit exactly that number. Here’s his full take.

Even; the win total is 6.5 for LSU, take the over as an official play, but that’s not going to happen. Brian Kelly inspires confidence as a head coach, even during his first season with the “big boys” in the SEC, but the back end of the slate is treacherous and there’s a chance the Tigers could lose their final three SEC games in November (Alabama, at Arkansas, at Texas A&M). If this helps, LSU is closer to an 8-4 finish than 6-6 if you want to sprinkle a few bucks on the over total.

Playing in the SEC West is certainly brutal for a first-year head coach, even one with Kelly’s credentials. Still, the winningest coach in Notre Dame history and third-winningest active FBS coach will be far from out of his depth in Baton Rouge.

This team has a lot of questions to answer, namely at the quarterback spot. But there are intriguing options there in veteran [autotag]Myles Brennan[/autotag], who has shown some promise when healthy, which has been rare. There’s also [autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag], a transfer from Arizona State who started three seasons for the Sun Devils.

If one of those two is the guy, this team could have a pretty high ceiling. There’s talent at the skill positions, and while the defense suffered a lot of losses this offseason, the transfer portal helped mitigate them. Given the schedule, finishing much better than 8-4 could be tough, but that seems like a realistic if slightly underwhelming goal to set in Year 1.

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