Jayden Daniels took a big leap in his development in his fifth collegiate season, and he's riding that wave toward the 2024 NFL Draft.
The LSU quarterback won the 2023 Heisman Trophy award, beating out fellow collegiate stars Bo Nix, Michael Penix Jr. and Marvin Harrison Jr. But unlike fellow Heisman-nominated quarterbacks Nix and Penix Jr., Daniels won't be throwing at the 2024 NFL Combine.
Daniels' fifth collegiate season was just his second at LSU, and he made significant improvements in his second year with the Tigers.
In 2023, he threw for 3,812 yards and 40 touchdowns with an 11.7 yards per attempt average. Daniels also rushed for 1,134 yards and 10 touchdowns, to compile 50 total touchdowns.
Compare that to 2022, when Daniels threw for 2,913 yards and 17 touchdowns with a 7.5 yards per attempt average. He rushed for 885 yards and 11 touchdowns, and caught one receiving touchdown.
While Daniels won't be throwing at the NFL Combine, he's expected to be in Indianapolis to meet with NFL teams.
MORE: Why USC's Caleb Williams isn't throwing at the NFL Combine
Why is Jayden Daniels not throwing at the NFL Combine?
Daniels isn't alone in his decision, nor is this an unprecedented one for star quarterbacks entering the NFL Draft.
The LSU product is coming off a Heisman Trophy-winning season and is projected to land early in the first round. Barring any breaking news, it seems that Daniels won't surpass Caleb Williams as the top selection, nor will he fall toward the bottom of the first round.
That being said, Daniels doesn't need to throw at the NFL Combine. Instead, he's opted to throw at LSU's pro day, which will be held on March 27. That will give Daniels a familiar environment in which he can showcase his abilities to scouts.
Daniels also cited his LSU teammates in discussing his decision not to participate in drills at the NFL Combine. Since he won't throw at the combine, more teams will come to his pro day in Baton Rouge, which will increase exposure for his teammates, he told reporters Thursday at a news conference in Indianapolis.
Williams and UNC's Drake Maye have also decided against throwing at the combine. It's fairly common for top quarterback prospects to do it. The NFL has seen Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III, Kyler Murray and Tim Tebow, among others decline the invite to throw at the combine.
Daniels has proved to be a threat in and out of the pocket, racking up nearly 5,000 yards from scrimmage, while maintaining a 72.2-percent completion percentage last season.
So Daniels' draft stock may remain somewhat stagnant until he throws again at LSU's pro day.
