Breaking News:Column: How LSU wasted Jayden Daniels…..

Breaking News: Column: How LSU Wasted Jayden Daniels……..

 

Jayden Daniels’ time at LSU should have been a golden era, a period in which a dual-threat quarterback with remarkable talent could lead the Tigers to new heights. Instead, his tenure in Baton Rouge has been marked by missed opportunities, questionable coaching decisions, and an overall lack of the cohesive, championship-caliber support that he needed to maximize his potential.

In this column, I will explore how LSU, despite having one of the most gifted

quarterbacks in the nation, failed to capitalize on his abilities, leaving both Daniels and the program’s fans wondering what could have been. From inconsistent coaching to a lack of offensive innovation, the narrative of Daniels at LSU feels like a squandered opportunity.

 

The Arrival of Jayden Daniels

When Daniels transferred to LSU in 2022, there was a sense of excitement. A quarterback with experience in the Pac-12, Daniels had proven himself capable of making big plays both through the air and on the ground. His versatility should have been a perfect fit for LSU, a team hungry to return to its former glory.

 

Daniels was coming off a standout career at Arizona State, where he showcased his mobility, arm strength, and poise under pressure. His ability to make plays in a variety of ways brought a unique dimension to the LSU offense. Fans expected that he would revitalize a team that, just a few seasons ago, had been a national powerhouse under Joe Burrow. With a strong offensive line and a solid group of skill position players, the foundation was there for LSU to make a legitimate title run. Or so it seemed.

 

Inconsistent Coaching and Offensive Strategy

One of the most significant issues that hindered Daniels at LSU was the inconsistency and lack of direction in the offensive coaching staff. Under head coach Brian Kelly, the Tigers entered a new era with high expectations. However, while Kelly’s defensive prowess and leadership were evident, the offensive side of the ball often lacked the innovation needed to fully utilize Daniels’ strengths.

 

In particular, LSU’s offensive coordinator, Mike Denbrock, struggled to find a rhythm with Daniels. At times, it appeared that the playcalling didn’t leverage Daniels’ dual-threat abilities effectively. While the quarterback flashed his skills as a mobile playmaker, LSU seemed content to have him play a more traditional, pocket-oriented style. This limited Daniels’ potential as a dynamic weapon. Instead of building an offense that utilized his speed and quick decision-making to create mismatches, the coaching staff seemed to ask him to fit a mold that didn’t truly suit him.

 

The result was a stop-start offense that lacked explosiveness and failed to consistently put pressure on opposing defenses. Even when Daniels did manage to break free for a spectacular play, it was often in spite of the scheme rather than because of it. LSU’s offense felt disjointed, and that lack of flow and creativity ultimately held Daniels back from being the difference-maker he could have been.

 

Offensive Line Woes

In addition to coaching issues, Daniels faced a significant challenge in the form of a less-than-elite offensive line. While LSU has traditionally been known for producing strong linemen, the protection up front during Daniels’ time was often inconsistent. The Tigers’ offensive line struggled with pass protection, which led to Daniels taking unnecessary hits, affecting both his health and ability to perform at his highest level.

 

For a quarterback like Daniels, who thrives on creating with his legs, it was crucial to have an offensive line that could give him enough time to process the defense and make the right decisions. Unfortunately, that was rarely the case. The lack of consistent protection forced Daniels to scramble more than he should have, which sometimes led to mistakes or rushed throws.

 

A solid offensive line could have alleviated some of these issues, giving Daniels the chance to sit in the pocket and make plays in the passing game. Instead, he was often forced to bail out of the pocket too quickly, limiting his ability to be both a passer and a rusher. The line’s inability to provide Daniels with adequate time, combined with questionable playcalling, meant that the Tigers’ offense often looked disjointed and inefficient.

 

Underutilization of Daniels’ Skillset

One of the most frustrating aspects of Daniels’ tenure at LSU is how his unique skill set was underutilized. As a dual-threat quarterback, Daniels had the ability to break games open with both his arm and his legs. However, LSU’s offense never fully embraced this versatility. The coaching staff often called passing plays that didn’t fully exploit Daniels’ ability to extend plays with his legs or use designed quarterback runs.

 

Instead of tailoring the offense to put Daniels in positions where he could shine, LSU’s system often seemed rigid and out of touch with his talents. The playbook rarely took full advantage of his ability to make explosive plays, whether it was on the ground or through the air. There was a lack of creativity in utilizing motion, read-option plays, or even RPOs (run-pass options), which could have freed up Daniels to exploit mismatches in the defense.

 

Instead, Daniels was often forced to operate in a more traditional pocket-passer role, which limited his ability to be the game-changer he could have been. The coaching staff seemed to ignore the fact that his mobility was one of his most dangerous assets, and as a result, LSU’s offense never really clicked in the way it could have.

 

Missed Opportunities and a Lost Window

As Daniels’ career at LSU progressed, it became evident that the program was failing to capitalize on his immense talent. There were several key moments throughout his time at LSU where a more innovative coaching staff, better offensive line play, or a better-designed offense could have resulted in significant success. Whether it was close losses in big games, struggles against top-tier defenses, or missed opportunities in key moments, Daniels was often left in a position where he could only do so much.

 

In the 2023 season, for instance, LSU had a chance to make a legitimate push for the College Football Playoff. But despite Daniels’ dazzling performances, the team’s inconsistencies on both sides of the ball kept them from reaching their full potential. And while Daniels himself had impressive moments, particularly as a runner, his passing game never fully developed in the way that it should have given his natural ability.

 

As he heads into the next phase of his career, whether in the NFL or elsewhere, one can’t help but feel that his time at LSU will be remembered as a missed opportunity — a wasted window of potential greatness. There’s no doubt that Daniels will go down as one of the most gifted quarterbacks to play at LSU. But it’s hard to ignore the fact that his time in Baton Rouge could have been so much more.

 

Conclusion

Jayden Daniels’ journey at LSU is a story of unrealized potential. From questionable coaching decisions to missed opportunities on the field, his time in Baton Rouge is a reflection of how a combination of poor coaching, lack of offensive innovation, and inconsistent support can hold back even the most talented players.

 

If LSU had better utilized Daniels’ skill set, there’s little doubt that the Tigers would have been one of the most dangerous teams in college football. Instead, fans and players alike are left to wonder what could have been, as the program failed to build around one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the country. Jayden Daniels’ legacy at LSU will undoubtedly be remembered, but unfortunately, it will also be remembered as one of the biggest missed opportunities in recent college football history.