While LSU Tigers Heisman-winning quarterback Jayden Daniels didn't participate in testing or the measurement portion of the NFL Scouting Combine, that didn't stop some scouts from comparing the five-year signal-caller to Kansas City Chiefs three-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
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“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."
- One seasoned scout to @BobMcGinn on Jayden… pic.twitter.com/s0MazpELJC
— Tyler Dunne (@TyDunne) March 6, 2024
Speaking with Bob McGinn, a writer at GoLongTD.com, which was founded by Tyler Dunne, one "seasoned scout" said the following regarding Daniels:
"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."
Of course, during draft season, there are a lot of smoke screens and other motivations for propping up or taking a player down a peg — but comments like these are always intriguing.
Daniels played five college football seasons, including three at Arizona State before transferring to LSU.
At Arizona State, he completed 62.4 percent of his passes for 6,025 yards, 32 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He also ran 1,288 yards on 296 carries for 13 scores across 29 games.
His production improved mightily at LSU. In 26 games, he completed 70.2 percent of his passes for 6,725 yards, 57 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He also carried the ball 321 times for 2,019 yards and 21 touchdowns.
In 2023, as a redshirt senior, Daniels won the Heisman Trophy after passing for 3,812 yards (72.2 percent completion rate), 40 touchdowns, four interceptions, 1,134 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns.
It's unclear exactly how fast Daniels is, as he didn't participate in testing at the combine. But based on his rushing production, he's likely faster than Mahomes' 4.8-second 40-yard dash time.
Of course, comparing anyone to Mahomes is going to raise some eyebrows, as Mahomes has had ample NFL success.
Coming out of college, Mahomes had a junior season at Texas Tech in which he completed 65.7 percent of his passes for 5,052 yards, 41 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 285 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns.
According to DraftKings Sportsbook, Daniels has the following odds in the NFL Draft:
- No. 1 overall: +750
- No. 2 overall: +110
- No. 3 overall: +145
