Jayden Daniels won the Heisman Trophy, so it may sound silly to say he is underappreciated. However, when it comes to one part of his game, that appears to be the case.
The NFL Draft is quickly approaching, so like all the top prospects, Daniels is under the microscope. Daniels is a true dual threat who has marveled with both his arm and his legs. The latter has caused many to point out his recklessness. In some circles, it is a punchline as Daniels routinely takes big hits.
I cannot deny that Daniels does not always protect himself in the best manner. However, is it possible everyone is looking at this the wrong way?
Daniels is set to be one of the top picks in the NFL Draft which means a team is set to invest a great deal of draft capital and money into him. Teams will obviously be concerned with his ability to stay healthy, but what about his makeup?
Daniels has a lanky frame and is listed at 6’4” and 210 pounds. He did not have his height and weight officially measured at the NFL Combine.
While some may consider him to be too slight, Daniels has proven his toughness time and time again.
The best example of that is the Missouri game this past fall. Daniels got hit in his ribs, which caused him to miss a few plays. When he came back in, he ran for a touchdown and threw for another as LSU pulled off a big road win.
This performance put Daniels into the mix for the Heisman despite some saying it was too early for that discussion.
LSU had another big road game at Alabama. Daniels and the Tigers offense were off to a hot start, scoring touchdowns on four of their first six possessions. That would all change after a hit from Alabama linebacker Dallas Turner forced Daniels out of the game.
There is not really anything Daniels can do to avoid a hit like that. Turner will also be coughing up a hefty fine if he hits a quarterback like that in the NFL.
Following the Alabama game, there was concern about Daniels’ availability.
True to form, Daniels returned to action a week later and delivered a historic performance against Florida.
Against Florida, Daniels showed off his running ability. He was a blur as he left Gators defenders in his tracks.
On the season, he had 135 rushing attempts and led the country with 8.4 yards per attempt. Despite the heavy workload, Daniels played in every single game and finished all but one.
The NFL will bring a new challenge for him, but I will bet on Daniels due to the toughness he showed at LSU.
OUTTA HERE!
Clarknado Sports 