Did Joe Burrow and Jayden Daniels play collectively at LSU? It may be an affordable query some have because the Cincinnati Bengals and Washington Commanders quarterbacks face off in prime time in the course of the  NFL’s Week 3 Monday Night time Soccer doubleheader. It will likely be the primary NFL matchup between two former LSU QBs in 43 years, and the primary showdown to characteristic two Heisman Trophy winners from the identical college on reverse sidelines.

The reply is not any, however they’re linked in ways in which transcend a Heisman Trophy. Burrow and Daniels set an elite quarterback dynasty at LSU in movement, forging a legacy that has no obvious finish in sight. 

It began in 2018, when Burrow — an unheralded profession backup at Ohio State — joined LSU’s roster within the spring as a graduate switch, granting him quick eligibility. He gained the beginning job in fall camp and had a good, if modest, debut with the Tigers, accruing a 10-3 file because the starter whereas throwing for two,894 yards and 16 touchdowns. 

Only a few predicted what would come subsequent. Burrow entered the 2019 season well-entrenched as LSU’s starter and left with arguably the best single-season quarterback efficiency in faculty soccer historical past. Burrow set FBS information for passing touchdowns (60), complete touchdowns (65) and passer score (202). His 5,671 yards by the air that yr are tied for fourth all-time in FBS historical past, and his 76.3% completion proportion led the NCAA. 

Burrow gained the Heisman Trophy, the Maxwell Award, the Walter Camp Award and several other different offensive trophies. He was additionally a unanimous All-American and the SEC Offensive Participant of the 12 months. Burrow led LSU to its first 15-0 file in program historical past and gained a Faculty Soccer Playoff Nationwide Championship whereas slinging the ball to the likes of Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson. 

Burrow was chosen with the No. 1 general decide within the 2020 NFL Draft and has gone on to earn NFL Comeback of the 12 months and Professional Bowl honors. However whereas Burrow was carving defenses up in 2019, Daniels was within the midst of his freshman season at Arizona State as a top-40 prospect out of California’s Cajon Excessive College. 

Daniels was named Arizona State’s starter instantly and led the Solar Devils to an 8-5 file as a real freshman, highlighted by a win in opposition to Justin Herbert-led Oregon by which he threw for 408 yards and three touchdowns. However Arizona State solely performed 4 video games in 2020, and Daniels had a quiet 2021 amid a tumultuous season stuffed with workers turnover and NCAA investigation into the group for COVID-related recruiting violations. 

So Daniels entered the switch portal in February of 2022 and ultimately dedicated to LSU. Daniels led the Tigers to 10 wins in 2022 — coach Brian Kelly’s first season with this system — however took issues to a different stage (personally, not less than) throughout his 2023 Heisman-winning marketing campaign. 

His 4,946 complete yards led the NCAA and his 208 passer score set a brand new FBS file — surpassing Burrow’s from 4 years earlier within the course of. He additionally amassed 50 complete touchdowns and have become the primary participant in FBS historical past to go for 12,000 yards and rush for 3,000 yards in a profession. 

Daniels went off the board second general within the 2024 NFL Draft and was named Washington’s starter out of coaching camp. His successor at LSU, Garrett Nussmeier, might not be far off from following in Daniels’ footsteps. 

Nussmeier has emerged as top-of-the-line pure passers in faculty soccer. His 13 touchdowns rank second within the FBS, behind Miami’s Cam Ward, and he’s second within the SEC with 1,247 yards passing. His 70.6% completion proportion additionally leads additionally leads all FBS passers with a minimal of 150 makes an attempt. 

LSU is ready up extraordinarily effectively at quarterback for the longer term. The Tigers signed four-star sign caller Colin Hurley in 2024 and presently maintain a dedication from Bryce Underwood, the No. 1 general prospect within the class of 2025. 

The present run began with Burrow, although, and Monday evening might be a full-circle second between two of the three Heisman Trophy winners in LSU’s proud historical past.