Jayden Daniels, a transfer quarterback from Arizona State, started for LSU Sunday night in the season opener versus Florida State, a 24-23 loss.
LSU’s Brian Kelly, making his debut as Tigers coach, told reporters last week that the staff had made its decision as to who will start against the Seminoles, but believing it might give the opponent a strategic advantage, he did not announce the decision.
After a sluggish start, Daniels rallied the Tigers (0-1) with a fourth-quarter flurry before Damian Ramos‘ extra-point attempt failed on the last play of the game.
“We got into a better rhythm certainly in the second half, Jayden did,” Kelly said. “He’s a threat.”
Daniels finished 25-of-34 passing for 209 yards and two touchdowns in the loss. He also led the Tigers with 114 yards on the ground off 16 carries.
“When he did sit in the pocket, he showed great patience,” Kelly said. “And he was able to make good decisions.”
Daniels started over Garrett Nussmeier, and though Kelly said on the ESPN broadcast just before kickoff that both may play against the Seminoles (2-0), that never materialized.
With the Sun Devils last season, Daniels completed 197 of 301 passes for 2,380 yards and 10 touchdowns with 10 interceptions. A mobile quarterback who can be dangerous outside of the pocket, Daniels also ran for 710 yards and six scores last year for Arizona State.
Last season, LSU struggled under center, using three quarterbacks, including Nussmeier. Max Johnson transferred to Texas A&M, and Jontre Kirklin is in the NFL with the Arizona Cardinals.