- LSU’s Jayden Daniels has seen the most significant Heisman Trophy odds shift since opening in January.
- In his first season at LSU, Daniels led the Tigers to a record of 10-4 and finished the season with a 63-7 win over Purdue in the Citrus Bowl.
- The defending Heisman Trophy winner, USC’s Caleb Williams, remains the favorite to win the top award in college football.
According to Heisman Trophy odds at Bovada, Jayden Daniels is emerging as a definite threat to win the 2023-24 Heisman Trophy. In January, Daniels opened at +1700 to win the Heisman. Currently, Daniels has the third-best odds to win the Heisman Trophy at +900.
As we approach kickoff to the 2023-24 college football season, the Heisman Trophy odds are beginning to take shape. Following six months of wagering, players have been rising and falling at Bovada. Daniels has made the most noise in the Heisman Trophy betting markets this offseason.
With that in mind, bettors are getting behind the idea of Daniels winning the Heisman this year. The odds are shifting in his direction because of the value on the board. We will see if the public continues to support Daniels at +900.
The senior is coming off his first season at LSU and in the SEC. Daniels transferred from Arizona State to LSU following the 2021 season. As a member of the Sun Devils, Daniels started his collegiate career in impressive fashion.
It looked like it was going to be a promising career for Daniels at Arizona State. The Sun Devils have struggled in recent years to find a Heisman-caliber quarterback. Daniels appeared like the solution in his first season.
Daniels Shines On Big Stage In SEC
In his first season in college, Daniels gave the Arizona State offense a jolt of life. He passed for 2,943 yards, 17 touchdowns, and three interceptions. Additionally, Daniels ran for 335 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.
Daniels laid down the foundation for what was expected to be a successful career at Arizona State. However, a leg injury for Daniels the following season disrupted those plans. In 2021, Daniels struggled to get back on track, as he passed for 2,380 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.
New head coach Brian Kelly still saw something in Daniels. Kelly was able to convince Daniels to pack up his bags for the bigger stage in the SEC. Daniels flourished against tougher defenses last year.
Jayden Daniels is putting out HEISMAN performances right now.
Last 2 weeks:
44/60 (73%)
762 Total Yards
ELEVEN Touchdowns! pic.twitter.com/hDHG36od9F— OTOP (@OneTeamOnePod) October 24, 2022
He made a big impression in the SEC for the Tigers. The native of San Bernardino, California, passed for 17 touchdowns, three interceptions, and a new career-high 68.6 percent completion rate. While his passing numbers were similar to his freshman year at Arizona State, Daniels excelled as a runner.
Daniels’ dual-threat ability was on full display at LSU, as he galloped for 885 yards and 11 touchdowns on 4.8 yards per carry. With Daniels’ Heisman Trophy odds skyrocketing, bettors are expecting him to build on his first year in Baton Rouge.
Bryce Young and Hendon Hooker Depart SEC For NFL
Daniels is projected to be the top quarterback in the SEC after Bryce Young and Hendon Hooker left college for the NFL. Young won the Heisman Trophy in 2021 after a memorable season at Alabama.
He turned his success at Alabama into the No. 1 overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft. Young passed for 32 touchdowns and five interceptions on 64.5 percent completions last year. Tennessee’s Hooker accumulated wildly impressive numbers, too.
The third-round Detroit Lions draft pick passed for 3,135 yards, 27 touchdowns, and two interceptions on 69.6 percent passing. Hooker would not finish the season due to an ACL injury. Daniels has big shoes to fill with the microscope on him in the SEC.
If Daniels has a similar season, he will have to be in the Heisman discussion. Of course, LSU must have success as a team, too. Currently, the Tigers have the sixth-best odds to win the 2023-24 College Football National Championship at +1400 odds.
Asked Jayden Daniels if he felt like he was the best QB in the SEC.
His response: pic.twitter.com/bOSINVMhIA
— Tye Richardson 🐗 (@TyeSportsRadio) July 17, 2023
Daniels is not without talented weapons in the offense. The 2023-24 wide receiver class for LSU is amongst the best in the country. After catching 72 receptions for 1,017 yards, Malik Nabers is returning to LSU for one more season.
Nabers is joined by Brian Thomas Jr. and Kyren Lacy. Both receivers are expected to play a pivotal role in LSU’s game plan. Expect a Top 5 season from the LSU receivers.
Caleb Williams Holding As Heisman Trophy Favorite
Daniels’ Heisman odds are on the move, but there are no questions about who the betting favorite is going into this season.
According to Bovada, USC’s Caleb Williams is favored to win the 2023-24 Heisman Trophy. The defending Heisman winner has +550 odds to win it in back-to-back years.
Archie Griffin remains the only player in college football history to win the Heisman Trophy twice. The Ohio State running back captured the Heisman in 1974 and 1975. Williams can become only the second player to pull off the impressive feat.
Monday Motivation from 2022 Heisman Trophy Winner, USC’s @CALEBcsw: “Your journey will be your own. Just keep believing and keep pursuing your goals. If you’re willing to put in the work and surround yourself with positive people, you can achieve anything.” – Caleb Williams pic.twitter.com/c5NRgM2RH6
— The Heisman Trophy (@HeismanTrophy) July 24, 2023
The USC starting quarterback became the first Trojan to win the Heisman since Matt Leinart in 2005. In his first season at USC, Williams passed for 4,537 yards, 42 touchdowns, and five interceptions. Additionally, he was productive on the ground, with 382 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns.
Daniels does not have it easy in the Heisman race against Williams. Look for Williams to continue to excel if he can avoid re-injuring his leg. Williams injured his leg in a disappointing 47-24 loss to the Utah Utes in the Pac-12 Championship Game.
The loss prevented USC from going to the College Football Playoff. However, the Trojans should be in the mix again in 2023-24. They have the fifth-best odds to win the College Football National Championship, just ahead of LSU at +1300.
Texas’ quarterback Quinn Ewers, who is looking to break out in his third season, is between Daniels and Williams at Bovada. Currently, Ewers is +700 with the second-best odds to win the 2023-24 Heisman Trophy.
