Quarterback Jayden Daniels from LSU has been named the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner, beating out Oregon QB Bo Nix, Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. and Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr. 

“I’m happy, I’m excited, I’m blessed that I was able to win the award,” said Daniels after the ceremony, “I’m a part of a fraternity that I watched growing up, I’m just excited, honestly.”

Daniels finished first with 2,029 total points and 503 first place votes, Penix Jr. finished second with 1,701 total points and 292 first place votes, Nix finished third with 885 total points and 51 first place votes and Harrison Jr. finished with 352 total points and 20 first place votes. 

Daniels was named the AP player of the year and the Davey O’Brien award for best quarterback in the nation. The senior finished with 3812 passing yards and 40 passing touchdowns, while also posting 1134 rushing yards with 10 rushing touchdowns. He led the nation in total offensive yards (4,496), touchdowns (50), and yards per passing attempt (11.7). 

This was the closest Heisman race since 2018. Daniels is the fifth transfer to win the Heisman, with the last coming last year with USC’s Caleb Williams. 

“It was a sigh of relief…Hearing your name is just a big weight off my shoulders, that’s just something that I dreamed about growing up, just trying to win a Heisman Trophy,” Daniels noted.