During the NFL Scouting Combine, Jayden Daniels, the Heisman-winning quarterback from LSU Tigers, did not take part in the testing or measurement activities. Nevertheless, some scouts drew parallels between the five-year quarterback and the three-time Super Bowl champion from the Kansas City Chiefs, Patrick Mahomes.
“I don’t know if I’ve ever seen anybody like him. He could be a running back. He was the closest thing I’ve seen to Mahomes but he actually might be better because he’s faster and a better runner and a much better pure athlete.”
– A seasoned scout to @BobMcGinn on Jayden? pic.com/s0MazpELJC
— Tyler Dunne (@TyDunne) March 6, 2024
In a conversation with Bob McGinn, a writer at GoLongTD.com, established by Tyler Dunne, a scout referred to Daniels as:
“I don’t know if I’ve ever seen anybody like him. He could be a running back. He was the closest thing I’ve seen to Mahomes but he actually might be better because he’s faster and a better runner and a much better pure athlete.”
During the draft season, there is a lot of speculation and motives behind uplifting or underestimating a player, but statements like these always pique interest.
Daniels competed for five seasons in college football, playing three at Arizona State before transferring to LSU.
During his time at Arizona State, he completed 62.4% of his passes for 6,025 yards, 32 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions, running for 1,288 yards on 296 carries across 29 games.
His performance significantly improved at LSU, where he completed 70.2% of his passes for 6,725 yards, 57 touchdowns, and seven interceptions in 26 games. He also rushed for 2,019 yards and 21 touchdowns on 321 carries.
In his redshirt senior year in 2023, Daniels clinched the Heisman Trophy after passing for 3,812 yards (72.2% completion rate), 40 touchdowns, four interceptions, 1,134 rushing yards, and 10 rushing touchdowns.
Daniels’ speed remains uncertain as he did not participate in combine testing, but judging by his rushing stats, he likely outpaces Mahomes’ 4.8-second 40-yard dash time.
Comparing anyone to Mahomes garners attention, given Mahomes’ significant success in the NFL.
Upon leaving college, Mahomes, during his junior year at Texas Tech, completed 65.7% of his passes for 5,052 yards, 41 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 285 rushing yards, and 12 rushing touchdowns.
