LSU Legends Joe Burrow & Jayden Daniels Shine in NFL
CINCINNATI, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 23: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals and Jayden Daniels #5 of the Washington Commanders meet after the Commanders beat the Bengals 38-33 at Paycor Stadium on September 23, 2024 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Shaquille O’Neal’s admiration for LSU’s standout athletes exemplifies how LSU greats remain deeply connected to the Tiger community after leaving Baton Rouge. Joe Burrow and Jayden Daniels are among the quarterbacks who have remarkably transitioned from LSU stardom to NFL acclaim.
Their success is a testament to the LSU football program’s enduring legacy and capacity to produce elite talent. Joe Burrow’s rise has been meteoric since he was chosen No. 1st overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Despite the Cincinnati Bengals team’s struggles with protecting their quarterback, Burrow’s resilience and brilliance led him to MVP conversations. O’Neal has praised him for his precise passing and poise under pressure, which have elevated him to one of the league’s premier quarterbacks.
“Every time he steps on the field, and he’s playing well, he’s definitely considered the best,” O’Neal said in an exclusive interview with Crissy Froyd of RG. “If he’s in the conversation, he has a chance to win.”
Burrow’s impact on the field is undeniable, even though the MVP odds may be against him due to the Bengals’ lack of postseason success. Burrow isn’t the sole LSU quarterback making headlines in the NFL. Jayden Daniels, a former Heisman Trophy winner like Burrow, has also shown remarkable skill during his debut season with the Washington Commanders.
Daniels’ dual-threat abilities were brought to the professional stage after transferring from Arizona State and leading LSU to success. This year, he has completed 69% of his passes, resulting in 3,568 yards, 25 touchdowns, nine interceptions, 891 rushing yards, and six touchdowns on the ground.
“I have also been paying a ton of attention to Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders,” O’Neal made a point to emphasize the team’s remarkable turnaround.
O’Neal believes Daniels can lead the Commanders to the Super Bowl despite the Commanders’ postseason run being captivated by fans.
“For him to win the Heisman, play in the state of Louisiana, and then come into this first year of his NFL career with a chance to win a Super Bowl, I think that is huge for him,” O’Neal remarked.
Daniels and the Commander’s season ended Sunday afternoon following a 55-28 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, their division rival, in the NFC Championship game.
Daniels, after the game on losing to the Eagles, “Obviously, man, it sucks. the s***sucks. Excuse my language. I couldn’t be prouder of the guys in the locker room. In year one, with everyone not really knowing each other, the rookies and the veterans did a tremendous job bringing us together and helping us bond.
We all meshed well, and we made it to this point. But at the end of the day, we lost, and it hurts. It really does. Still, we’ll move on from this.”
Despite the loss, the future looks bright for Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and Jayden Daniels.
