TAMPA, Fla. — No. 13 LSU (10-3) opened the post-Jayden Daniels era – and the new year – with a 35-31 come-from-behind win over Wisconsin (7-6) in the ReliaQuest Bowl on Monday.
But the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner watched from the sidelines as quarterback Garrett Nussmeier's 395-yard, three-touchdown passing performance guided the Tigers to a second New Year's Day bowl victory in as many seasons.
"It meant a lot, to not just me and this team, but to the state of Louisiana and the program and the direction we are going," Daniels told WWL Louisiana's Seth Lewis on the field of Raymond James Stadium following the game in Tampa, Fla. "It was a big win for us."
Last month, Daniels announced he would forego the bowl game to focus on the upcoming NFL Draft during a heartfelt message to LSU fans on his 23rd birthday.
After the game, he praised his successor's play which included Nussmeier completing 31 of 45 passes with one interception and a go-ahead touchdown pass to Brian Thomas Jr. with 3:08 remaining in the game.
"It was dope, seeing the work he put in day in and day out," Daniels explained. "Hopefully, I was a stepping [stone] to helping him learn, but that's my boy and I'm just happy for him."
In addition to the Heisman, Daniels won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm award, as well as the Walter Camp Player of the Year and Davey O'Brien awards, SEC Offensive Player of the Year and many others.
At the end of the regular season, Daniels led the nation in total offense with 412.2 yards per game, touchdown passes with 40 and he rushed for another 10 for a nation’s best 50 TDs.
Daniels threw for 3,812 yards, connecting on 236-of-327 passes with only four interceptions, and rushed for 1,134 yards on 135 carries. He joined former Heisman winner – and fellow Manning Award finalist – Johnny Manziel as the only player in SEC history to pass for 3,500 yards and rush for 1,000 yards in a season.
The Manning Award recipient is announced following the conclusion of the bowl season and the College Football Playoffs championship game.
While Daniels is appreciative of the personal accolades and the opportunity to relish in LSU's bowl win, he admits the new year brings a renewed focus toward his professional football future.
'It's been wild, but it's been a blessing, a blessing to be in the position I am in today, and blessed to come out here and see my boys get a win and see 'Nuss' do his thing for the future, I'm just excited and proud for everything," Daniels concluded. "I've had my time off from a long season, but now it's time to shift gears and get ready for the NFL."