LSU’s Daniels Named 2023 Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award Winner

FORT WORTH, Texas (Dec. 8, 2023) – LSU senior Jayden Daniels has been voted the 2023 Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award winner, becoming the second LSU player to win the nation’s oldest and most prestigious quarterback trophy. Joe Burrow claimed the honor in 2019.

During the 2023 season, Daniels was 236-for-327 passing (.722) for 3,812 yards with 40 touchdowns and four interceptions. In addition, he rushed 135 times for 1,134 yards (8.4 yards per carry) and 10 additional touchdowns.

Daniels leads the nation in points responsible for (302), total offense (412.2), passing efficiency (208.0), total quarterback rating (95.7), touchdown passes (40), total touchdowns (50), yards per pass attempt (11.7) and yards per rush (8.4). He also ranks among the nation’s best in yards per completion (2nd, 16.2), passing yards (3rd, 3,812) and completion percentage (7th, .722). His 1,134 rushing yards rank 22nd among all players and first among quarterbacks.

Daniels' 208.0 passer rating broke the all-time NCAA single-season record. In 12 games, he threw for more than 300 yards seven times and rushed for more than 100 on five occasions for the 13th-ranked Tigers. On Thursday, he was named the Associated Press Player of the Year. He also won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and is currently a finalist for the Heisman Trophy, Maxwell Award and Walter Camp Player of the Year Award.

The native of San Bernardino, Calif., is the only quarterback in FBS history with 12,000 passing yards and 3,000 rushing yards in a career. Against Florida, he became the first player ever with at least 350 passing yards and 200 rushing yards in game. Additionally, Daniels is the only player in SEC history with 500-plus yards of total offense in back-to-back games (Florida and Georgia State).

Fellow seniors Bo Nix of Oregon and Michael Penix Jr. of Washington were award finalists alongside Daniels. Ballots were distributed following the completion of the Pac-12 Championship game on Friday and Davey O’Brien National Selection Committee voting closed on Saturday night. The committee includes select media members, college football experts and former winners. Committee members ranked each player (1st, 2nd, 3rd) on their ballot. Three bonus ballots from the Davey O’Brien Fan Vote were added based on social media fan votes recorded on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Daniels claimed the first-place votes on all three platforms.

The announcement was made live on the Home Depot College Football Awards Show on ESPN. Daniels will be honored in person at the 47th Annual Davey O’Brien Awards Dinner at The Fort Worth Club in Fort Worth, Texas, on Monday, Feb. 19.