LSU football QB Jayden Daniels explains decision to return for 2023, gives injury update
ORLANDO, Fla. - LSU football quarterback Jayden Daniels elaborated on his decision to return for the 2023 season on Saturday.
Daniels, who transferred to LSU (9-4) from Arizona State this offseason, said he will be ready to play when No. 17 LSU faces Purdue (8-5) in the Citrus Bowl at Camping World Stadium on Monday (noon, ABC).
"Ultimately, it was the best decision for me to come back and accomplish (more) in college," Daniels said. "I felt like I needed to grow (more) and I felt like I had unfinished business in college."
"So I wanted to come back and compete for a national championship."
With Daniels back in the fold, LSU should at least have a national championship-contending caliber offense next season. Even with star wideout Kayshon Boutte's recent departure, the Tigers are expected to bring back their entire starting offensive line, leading rusher Josh Williams, starting tight end Mason Taylor and top pass catchers Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr., plus a plethora of talented options behind that duo.
For Monday, however, the Tigers may be a bit light on players for Daniels to throw to. With Boutte and Jaray Jenkins opting out for the NFL Draft and Jack Bech transferring to TCU, LSU will only have three scholarship wide receivers available: Nabers, Thomas and Kyren Lacy.
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Jayden Daniels' health status
Daniels confirmed that he is 100% healthy for the bowl game.
Daniels exited the SEC Championship Game at halftime after reaggravating an ankle injury he had suffered during the regular season finale against Texas A&M.
"I had rehabbed hard after the SEC Championship Game," Daniels said. "You know, just really going out there and really just hitting hard with the trainers, out there about two times a day."
Koki Riley covers LSU sports for The Daily Advertiser and the USA TODAY Sports South Region. Email him at kriley@theadvertiser.com and follow him on Twitter at @KokiRiley.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Jayden Daniels: LSU football quarterback explains return for 2023
