LIVE: The Bengal Tiger at The Heisman in New York City
The Bengal Tiger staff is in New York City for the 2023 Heisman Trophy presentation, which is headlined by the frontrunner to win the award in LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels.
LSU’s Billy Cannon was the first Tiger to take home the Heisman, winning the award in 1959.
60 years later, LSU quarterback Joe Burrow won the Heisman by the largest voting margin in history – and he went on to help lead the Tigers to a 15-0 finish and National Championship.
Four seasons later, Daniels looks to become the third winner in program history, which would make LSU one of 12 programs that have had at least three Heisman Trophy winners.
This past season, LSU led the nation in total offense and scoring offense – and Daniels played a major role in the success.
Daniels leads the NCAA in total yards (4,946), total yards per game (412), total touchdowns (50), yards per play (10.7) and plays of 20-plus yards (90).
Perhaps one of the most impressive marks: Daniels has a passer efficiency rating of 208, which ranks No. 1 in college football history. The data dates back to 1956 with a minimum of 14 pass attempts per school game.
As Daniels inches closer to taking home the Heisman Trophy, LSU fans can follow along during his weekend in New York City.
The finalists arrive in NYC for Heisman weekend
Daniels already won the 2023 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm award, which brought him to Baltimore on Thursday to accept the trophy.
From there, Daniels flew to New York City to begin the Heisman weekend alongside three other finalists in Oregon quarterback Bo Nix, Washington quarterback Michael Penix and Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.
The day kicked off with an NIL stop at Cane’s in Times Square, where the four finalists served food from the Baton Rouge-based chicken fingers restaurant.
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>. <a href=”https://twitter.com/LSUfootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@LSUfootball</a> Jayden Daniels at <a href=”https://twitter.com/raisingcanes?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@raisingcanes</a> event in NYC. <a href=”https://twitter.com/HeismanTrophy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@HeismanTrophy</a> <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/LSU?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#LSU</a> <a href=”https://twitter.com/ToddGraves?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@ToddGraves</a> <a href=”https://t.co/d6XDAZrudu”>pic.twitter.com/d6XDAZrudu</a></p>— Jacques Doucet (@JacquesDoucet) <a href=”https://twitter.com/JacquesDoucet/status/1733141584223375769?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>December 8, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>
After a photo op in Times Square, the four finalists headed to the Marriott Marquis in Times Square for the first media session of the weekend.
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>????Times Square <a href=”https://t.co/CBsiY5zDOQ”>pic.twitter.com/CBsiY5zDOQ</a></p>— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) <a href=”https://twitter.com/LSUfootball/status/1733171938816626696?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>December 8, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”><a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/LSU?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#LSU</a> QB Jayden Daniels gets some one-on-one time with the Heisman Trophy.<br><br>It’s likely headed back to Baton Rouge with him in a little more than 24 hours. <a href=”https://twitter.com/BengalTigerOn3?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@BengalTigerOn3</a> <a href=”https://t.co/yvsbBxNXqT”>pic.twitter.com/yvsbBxNXqT</a></p>— Shea Dixon (@Sheadixon) <a href=”https://twitter.com/Sheadixon/status/1733208926458359910?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>December 8, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>
During the 20-minute media session with the four finalists, reporters from across the country met with the group to talk about the push for a Heisman Trophy and more.
Here are some quick hitters that stood out from Daniels during his time with the media:
*** Daniels was asked by one national reporter if he thought about returning for another year of college football. Daniels laughed, noting that he was out of eligibility after spending three seasons at Arizona State and two in Baton Rouge. When it came to his decision on whether or not to play in LSU’s bowl game, Daniels remained mum on a final call. “After all this is done, I’ll sit down with my family and go from there,” Daniels said. The LSU quarterback is widely expected to not just turn pro, but be a first round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
*** Daniels spent plenty of time talking up LSU offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock and quarterbacks coach Joe Sloan, crediting them both for the strides he’s made since arriving in Baton Rouge and – now – on the verge of winning the Heisman Trophy.
“(Sloan) played a pivotal role in my life,” Daniels said. “Just challenging me in different types of ways and just the relationship that we built over these past two years. You know, just to see me grow in little facets of areas that I need to improve in.”
Daniels said Denbrock’s ability to communicate with the offensive skill players and draw up each week’s plan of attack is one of the Broyles Award Finalists biggest strengths.
“What do you like? What don’t you like? He even asks the receivers stuff like that,” Daniels said. “If stuff is not working in practice, he’s going to take it right out. He doesn’t want to go out there and put on a bad performance.”
*** Daniels was impressive in Year 1 at LSU, but the jump from 2022 to 2023 brought with it not just an impressive downfield passing attack, but a season when Daniels had the nation’s best efficiency rating on downfield passes and a final quarterback efficiency rating of 208 – the highest ever recorded by a college quarterback.
He credited the jump to experience and dedication to his craft. Daniels said he was far more comfortable with his wide receivers and the offensive philosophy during Year 2 in Baton Rouge, and the rapport he built with the offense as a whole through the 2022 season and this past offseason helped spark a new LSU offense that finished as the NCAA’s best in 2023.
*** As for the chances of taking home the trophy, Daniels said receiving the honor would be a testament to the team and staff in Baton Rouge. “Without them, I wouldn’t be sitting here,” Daniels said. 24 hours from now, Daniels will be putting on a suit to (likely) take home the trophy. As for what he will wear? “I’ve got that figured out already,” he said with a smile. “I take my fashion seriously.”
On Friday evening, Daniels was named the winner of the Davey O’Brien Award and the 2023 Walter Camp Player of the Year.
“Heisman Day” begins with a message from Joe Burrow
On Saturday morning, Daniels woke up to a message from former LSU quarterback Joe Burrow as he looks to follow in the same footsteps and take home the Heisman.
The LSU football social media team shared the message, which can be heard in the video below.
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” data-media-max-width=”560″><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>Welcome to the club, Jayden. <br><br>- <a href=”https://twitter.com/JoeyB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@JoeyB</a> <a href=”https://t.co/2KIKKdEVqD”>pic.twitter.com/2KIKKdEVqD</a></p>— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) <a href=”https://twitter.com/LSUfootball/status/1733489015494504740?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>December 9, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>
During the day, Daniels and the finalists followed up Friday’s tour of New York City with a walk through the ceremony venue at the Lincoln Center, which gave Daniels a chance to see the faces of all the winners that came before him – including Burrow and Cannon.
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>The Path has been paved by legends <br><br>No. 20 Cannon <br>No. 9 Burrow <a href=”https://t.co/ELTmb6Zpgk”>pic.twitter.com/ELTmb6Zpgk</a></p>— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) <a href=”https://twitter.com/LSUfootball/status/1733558590894416265?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>December 9, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>
Daniels then geared up for Saturday night’s ceremony and walk down the red carpet, where he was joined by his family and coaches – including LSU head coach Brian Kelly and a number of offensive staff members.
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>Proud to be in New York City alongside Jayden and his family. A special night for our program and University! <a href=”https://t.co/9v9AukB3OM”>pic.twitter.com/9v9AukB3OM</a></p>— Brian Kelly (@CoachBrianKelly) <a href=”https://twitter.com/CoachBrianKelly/status/1733651313618031040?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>December 10, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>
Jayden Daniels wins the 2023 Heisman Trophy
At 8 p.m. ET, Daniels joined the finalists at the Lincoln Center for the one-hour presentation, which aired on ESPN.
Daniels was surrounded by a host of former Heisman winners, as well as double-digit representatives from the LSU football staff and administration.
Shortly after 9 p.m., the winner was revealed.
It was now official: LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels has won the Heisman Trophy.
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>BREAKING: <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/LSU?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#LSU</a> QB Jayden Daniels has won the 2023 Heisman Trophy.<br><br>Daniels joins Joe Burrow and Billy Cannon as the third LSU player to win the coveted trophy.<br><br>More on the night in NYC and a historical season from "That Kid": <a href=”https://t.co/oZYCZam2ut”>https://t.co/oZYCZam2ut</a> <a href=”https://t.co/inAihbeuIK”>pic.twitter.com/inAihbeuIK</a></p>— Shea Dixon (@Sheadixon) <a href=”https://twitter.com/Sheadixon/status/1733668818361196570?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>December 10, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>
Daniels was voted as the Heisman Trophy winner over Oregon quarterback Bo Nix, Washington quarterback Michael Penix and wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.
Daniels won the Heisman Trophy with 503 first-place votes and 2,029 points. Michael Penix comes in second with 1,701 points. Daniels and Penix were the lone players to receive more than 51 first-place votes.
Daniels becomes the third LSU player to win the Heisman, joining Billy Cannon in 1959 and Joe Burrow in 2019.
There was a 60-year gap between Cannon and Burrow winning the Heisman. Now, LSU has won the Heisman for the second time in five seasons.
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>New: How did the votes get cast for the 2023 Heisman Trophy?<br><br>Here’s the breakdown from Deloitte’s sealed envelope.<a href=”https://t.co/oZYCZam2ut”>https://t.co/oZYCZam2ut</a> <a href=”https://t.co/ivrxhh8Eqe”>pic.twitter.com/ivrxhh8Eqe</a></p>— Shea Dixon (@Sheadixon) <a href=”https://twitter.com/Sheadixon/status/1733671166059987104?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>December 10, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>
Daniels delivers acceptance speech after winning the Heisman
After hearing his name announced as the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner, Daniels stepped to the podium and delivered his acceptance speech.
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” data-media-max-width=”560″><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>The Moment. <br><br>The quarterback from LSU is the Heisman Trophy Winner. <a href=”https://t.co/nV9pkFEECr”>pic.twitter.com/nV9pkFEECr</a></p>— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) <a href=”https://twitter.com/LSUfootball/status/1733670359507906676?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>December 10, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” data-media-max-width=”560″><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>A Dream Come True. It’s through faith and hard work. <br><br>Heisman Winner <a href=”https://twitter.com/JayD__5?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@JayD__5</a> <a href=”https://t.co/GSflVj0icw”>pic.twitter.com/GSflVj0icw</a></p>— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) <a href=”https://twitter.com/LSUfootball/status/1733672759790592093?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>December 10, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>
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