LSU star quarterback Jayden Daniels has made the decision to opt out of the upcoming ReliaQuest Bowl, marking his departure from college football and his preparation for the highly anticipated 2024 NFL Draft. Daniels, who recently won the Heisman Trophy, has been projected as a potential first-round pick in the upcoming draft.

The No. 13 ranked LSU Tigers are set to face off against Wisconsin in the ReliaQuest Bowl on January 1st in Tampa, Florida. However, without Daniels leading the team, redshirt sophomore Garrett Nussmeier is expected to make his first career start, giving the Tigers an opportunity to evaluate their potential future leader on the field.

Daniels, a fifth-year senior, made history at LSU with an exceptional season, accounting for an impressive total of 4,946 yards and 50 touchdowns. Under his leadership, the Tigers dominated the field, averaging 46.4 points and 547.8 yards per game, surpassing the nation's rankings in both categories. Daniels himself contributed to 90 plays over 20 yards throughout the season.

Having served as Daniels' backup over the past two seasons, Nussmeier has had limited action but has demonstrated his potential during his time on the field. In the previous season's Southeastern Conference championship and the Citrus Bowl, Nussmeier completed 62% of his throws, amassing 467 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions.

This season, Nussmeier has seen action in 17 career games, including six this year, completing 51.5% of his passes for 196 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions.

While Daniels is the only LSU player to opt out of the ReliaQuest Bowl so far, Nussmeier can rely on the rest of the offense, including promising wide receivers Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas, who are both potential first-round picks. Running back Logan Diggs and wide receiver Kyren Lacy have also been actively preparing for the game.

Jayden Daniels, a native of San Bernardino, California, joined LSU in 2022 after an impressive three-year stint as a starter at Arizona State. Setting LSU single-season records, Daniels rushed for 885 yards and scored 11 rushing touchdowns as a quarterback. Through the air, he threw for 2,913 yards, 17 touchdowns, and only three interceptions, leading LSU to victory in the SEC West.

Though Daniels faced challenges with his passing early in the season and sought improvement in his downfield throws, he amplified his performance and garnered positive feedback from NFL evaluators. Described initially as "hesitant," Daniels underwent significant growth, positioning himself as a potential mid-to-late Day 2 draft pick. Daniels made the decision to return to LSU for another year, dedicating the offseason to refining his skills.

In the 2023 season, Daniels proved his worth, throwing for an impressive 3,812 yards and 40 touchdowns, with only four interceptions. Additionally, he showcased his versatility as a dual-threat quarterback, rushing for 1,134 yards and securing an additional 10 touchdowns on the ground. Daniels joined the ranks of former Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel as the only players in SEC history to achieve 3,500 passing yards and 1,000 rushing yards in a single season.

Despite LSU's 9-3 record, Daniels became the third Heisman Trophy winner in LSU history, following in the footsteps of legendary players Billy Cannon and Joe Burrow. His decision to opt out of the ReliaQuest Bowl is a strategic move to focus on his upcoming NFL aspirations.

As LSU prepares for their bowl matchup against Wisconsin, the spotlight now shines on Garrett Nussmeier as he steps into the starting role, giving Tigers fans a glimpse of the potential future for LSU football.