The record-setting winner of this year’s Heisman Trophy is encouraging the nation’s young athletes to “lean” on their faith, saying his belief in Jesus made a major impact on his life.
LSU’s Jayden Daniels won the Heisman Trophy Saturday as college football’s most outstanding player, edging Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. 2,029-1,701 votes in what was the closest Heisman race since 2018. Daniels led the nation in total yards per game (412), passing touchdowns (40), and total touchdowns (50), and his 208.01 passer rating was the highest in FBS history.
In a win over Florida, he became the first player in FBS history to pass for 350 yards and rush for 200 yards in the same game.
Asked during the ESPN broadcast what advice he would give young people, Daniels responded, “Always believe in yourself -- no matter the doubters, no matter what people say about you, just believe in yourself. Lean on your faith with Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, and just keep working.”
Daniels’ path to the Heisman was not typical. A transfer, he struggled in his last season (2021) at Arizona State, throwing just as many interceptions (10) as touchdowns (10).
He started at quarterback for LSU in 2022 and led the Tigers to the SEC West division title, and then in 2023 guided his team to a 9-3 record.
He referenced his faith during his acceptance speech.
“This is a dream come true. I want to first give thanks to God,” he said. “... He's my Rock, my Savior. He blessed me with the talents and ability to get here.”
Daniels also thanked his teammates, his offensive line, his coaches at Arizona State and LSU, and his family.
He joked that his father raised him to play cornerback on defense but added, to audience laughter, that the “decision to play quarterback paid off.” Daniels’ parents sat in the audience.
“You taught me how to play, lead, and be calm no matter the situation,” he told his father.
Daniels also addressed his mother during his acceptance speech.
“You always had my best interest at heart from day one,” he told her. “And you showed me that tough love when I needed it. You instilled the hard work mentality that got me here. … I graduated in three years because that's something that you pushed me to do.”
Daniels, in a November interview posted at LSUSports.net, credited LSU player relations manager Sherman Wilson for helping deepen his faith.
“He’s behind the scenes, but he’s like my right-hand man,” Daniels said of Wilson. “Being around him, I kind of got back into my faith more, always giving glory to God. He died on the cross for us; anything is possible with Him. Coming back out here, trying to figure out my life, I wanted to stop trying to put so much pressure on me and just give everything to God, letting Him take care of it.”
Video Courtesy: ESPN College Football via YouTube
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
