When Jayden Daniels committed to LSU ahead of the 2022 season, there were whispers of excitement mixed with cautious expectations. Coming from Arizona State, Daniels was a highly regarded dual-threat quarterback known for his ability to make plays with both his arm and his legs. But despite those talents, transitioning to the competitive SEC and becoming the face of a program with national championship aspirations was no easy task. Fast forward to the 2023 season, and Daniels has emerged as one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in college football, exceeding many expectations, but not surprising LSU’s former offensive coordinator, Mike Denbrock.
Denbrock, who worked closely with Daniels during his first season in Baton Rouge, was instrumental in helping Daniels adjust to LSU’s system. Having coached quarterbacks and offenses at various stops in his career, including at Cincinnati, Denbrock knew that Daniels’ talent was something special. For Denbrock, it was just a matter of time before the quarterback’s potential would fully manifest.
### The Early Days: Transitioning to LSU
When Jayden Daniels first arrived at LSU, the question surrounding the team was whether or not he could fill the shoes of a team looking to reload after losing star quarterback Max Johnson and having an unsettled position battle. While LSU had a deep quarterback room, Daniels quickly became the front-runner. What stood out from the start was his leadership and maturity, despite being just a sophomore. Denbrock recognized that while Daniels had much to learn, his experience at Arizona State already gave him a leg up in terms of reading defenses and making quick decisions.
“Jayden has an innate ability to process information quickly and understand defensive structures,” Denbrock explains. “Even as a freshman, he had the ability to identify where the pressure was coming from and make a decision on the fly. That’s rare in a first-year quarterback.”
What might have appeared as raw talent to many was actually the result of years of hard work. Daniels had already demonstrated his ability to excel at Arizona State, setting multiple school records, but he needed to grow in certain areas to take his game to the next level. The SEC, with its fierce defenses and intimidating environment, was going to be a true test.
Denbrock’s role was pivotal in helping Daniels develop the finer points of his game. One of the first things Denbrock focused on was improving Daniels’ mechanics and consistency in the pocket. While Daniels’ running ability was a huge asset, Denbrock knew that for him to succeed in the SEC, he would need to become a more polished passer as well.
### The Growth of Jayden Daniels
Throughout the 2023 season, Daniels did not disappoint. He finished the regular season with over 3,700 passing yards, 30 total touchdowns, and a completion percentage well above 65%. What made his performance even more impressive was the fact that Daniels was also a constant threat on the ground, rushing for over 700 yards and adding several more touchdowns. His ability to run when needed made LSU’s offense nearly impossible to defend against, as defensive coordinators were forced to account for his dual-threat capability.
For Denbrock, this was exactly what he had envisioned for Daniels’ growth. “It was clear from Day 1 that Jayden had the potential to be special. He has the physical tools, but what made him stand out as the season went on was his mental growth,” Denbrock says. “He became more comfortable in the pocket, and he started to trust his progressions more instead of immediately relying on his legs.”
One of the most notable aspects of Daniels’ growth was his ability to stay calm under pressure. He demonstrated poise and maturity in high-stress situations, often leading LSU to late-game comebacks or game-winning drives. His performances in key games, including a thrilling victory over Alabama, solidified his status as one of the top quarterbacks in the country.
Denbrock credits Daniels’ ability to process the game with a level of maturity that goes beyond his years. “In college football, the speed of the game can overwhelm a lot of young quarterbacks. But Jayden was able to slow things down in his mind, even when the pressure was on. That’s a trait that great quarterbacks have.”
### The Impact of Denbrock’s System
The success of any quarterback isn’t just dependent on their individual skills, but also on the system they play in. Denbrock’s offensive philosophy was tailor-made to maximize Daniels’ talents. As an offensive coordinator, Denbrock is known for his ability to create balanced attacks that combine both the passing and running game effectively. By designing an offense that played to Daniels’ dual-threat strength, Denbrock created opportunities for him to make plays, both as a passer and a rusher.
Denbrock’s scheme emphasized quick, short passes designed to get the ball into playmakers’ hands early, while also allowing Daniels the freedom to improvise when needed. The offensive line, which started to gel over the course of the season, gave Daniels ample time to survey the field and find open receivers. When the pocket collapsed or running lanes opened up, Daniels was able to use his legs to extend plays and move the chains.
“I’ve always believed in being multiple on offense, and Jayden’s skills allowed us to do that,” Denbrock says. “We could run the football with him, we could spread the field and hit the quick game, and then we could take shots downfield when the defense was off balance. Jayden’s decision-making and ability to execute those options made all of that possible.”
The effectiveness of Denbrock’s offense is also seen in the development of LSU’s skill players. Wide receivers like Malik Nabers, Brian Thomas Jr., and Kyren Lacy benefitted greatly from Daniels’ ability to extend plays, giving them the chance to get open in critical moments. His rapport with his receiving corps grew throughout the season, leading to several explosive passing plays that kept opposing defenses on their heels.
### Looking Ahead: Jayden Daniels’ Future
As Daniels enters his junior year, the expectations are higher than ever. LSU is a team on the rise, and with Daniels at the helm, they are firmly in the conversation for SEC and national championship contention. Denbrock believes that Daniels’ trajectory is only headed upward.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that Jayden has the potential to be one of the best quarterbacks in college football for the next couple of years,” Denbrock says. “The sky’s the limit for him. He has the work ethic, the mental approach, and the physical ability to make it happen.”
As for LSU fans, Daniels’ rookie season has given them a glimpse of the future—a future that looks incredibly bright with a quarterback who has the tools to lead the Tigers back to prominence on the national stage.
In the end, while Daniels’ rapid rise might have surprised some outside observers, for those who worked with him closely—especially Mike Denbrock—it was only a matter of time before his talents would shine. And with another season ahead, it’s clear that Daniels’ journey is just getting started.