CHEEZ-IT CITRUS BOWL: LSU VS PURDUE

December 31, 2022

Mike Denbrock

Jayden Daniels

Rosen Plaza Hotel

LSU Tigers

Player-Coordinator Media Day

Q. Jayden, starting with you, when did you know that you wanted to come back, and then what was the thought process behind that decision?

JAYDEN DANIELS: I took my time on evaluating and gathering information. But ultimately, it was the best decision for me to come back and accomplish things in college I feel like I need to grow on. I feel like I have unfinished business at college, so I wanted to come back and compete for a National Championship.

Q. And to bounce off that, Mike, this year has been an evolution for the offense and improving now. What does Jayden coming back -- what are the things with a full off-season that you think could take it to the next level?

COACH DENBROCK: Yeah, one of the things, we are most proud of offensively is the growth we have made throughout the year. I think the consistency has improved, and really all areas across the board. From the way, we have played up front to the receiver room to the running backs to obviously Jayden and the things that he's been able to help us accomplish already this year.

I think what it does is help us build momentum into the off-season. We are a little more settled, obviously, than we were a year ago, and it gives us a chance to really kind of go to work on the finer details of making ourselves a lot better.

Q. Obviously, this has been your first year here at LSU. What stood out to you and what have you learned going through this process and what do you hope to take into next season when you come back?

JAYDEN DANIELS: What I take for next season, really the growth that I had this past season. I had so much more football that I needed to learn that I thought I didn't, so there is another level that I can tap into as far as growth.

But really just the competition, going out, actually playing in the SEC instead of just watching it on TV. It's a different level. So you guys know that each and every week is going to be a grind -- each and every week in the off-season, you have to treat it the same way.

Q. From the start of the season through fall camp to now, how much of an adjustment or shifts in offensive philosophy from what you planned to be to what you became, what were the biggest highlights as a coach and how you changed things up?

COACH DENBROCK: I think you always have a plan, and then, they say you always have a plan until you get punched in the mouth. I think understanding more about the competition in the SEC and what we were facing week-in and week-out was a learning curve a little bit.

I think understanding that you have to give the offensive line some support here and there because of the elite defensive fronts that we face in this league. You have to be ready at a moment's notice to adjust, not only your protection, scheme, but your running game to fit what is going to be a challenge each and every week that you go out there and play. Because, defenses and the coordinators in the SEC in particular are so good at making adjustments to what you are doing and what you are good at. They do a good job of trying to take that away from you.

I think as we went through the season, understanding that really helped us kind of grow, not only as a coaching staff, but helped us grow as an offense.

Q. Tell us the importance of this game for you. Obviously, you want to win and finish on a high note, but did you believe momentum can carry from now into next season and start the season with the big game? You said you have big aspirations. Can this be the start of that?

JAYDEN DANIELS: For sure, it gives guys a chance on both sides of the ball to step up that haven't played that much to make plays. For me and the offense, going out there and really just showing the world what we want to showcase for next season, going into next season -- the momentum. How we finish the season is how we are going to end up starting the season. We want to start on a high note -- we want to end on a high note, so we can start on a high note. We have a big game next year against a very good team, so we have a lot coming for us.

But, we want to end on a high note against Purdue.

Q. Just your health, are you feeling like 100 percent? Can you be a complete Jayden Daniels as a runner and passer in this game?

JAYDEN DANIELS: Sure, I rehabbed hard after the SEC Championship Game, going out there -- just really hitting hard with the trainers -- out there about two times a day, so I can get back to 100 percent before this game.

Q. With this game, not a lot of teams are playing a New Year's game, I know it's January 2nd, but how much are you looking forward to running out there and seeing the fans and playing in this high caliber of a game?

JAYDEN DANIELS: I am always grateful for the opportunity to play the game of football, doesn't matter what date. January 2nd, go out there, be happy, blessed. Go out there, make plays and help, so we can get our tenth win.

Q. In the modern era of college football, managing quarterback rooms, having a starter back is key, but how do you manage a talented quarterback room when you know a guy might leave?

COACH DENBROCK: What you want to build in any room, if possible, is healthy competition, and we, obviously, have that in the quarterback room. We have that in a number of other position rooms as well, where you open that iron sharpens iron, and they make themselves compete against one another.

It is a friendly competition, although it is a competition. Everybody has a spirit inside them, inside the LSU program that they want to be the absolute -- they want to be the dude, they want to be the guy, and that is very understandable. They work very hard to put themselves in that position.

But, if you know there's honest dialogue and there is an open competition and everybody understands what the parameters are and what the expectations are. You let them fight it out on the field and see where it goes.

We have been able to do that obviously with some very, very talented quarterbacks?

Q. I am just curious across your career how many times you have had a true dual-threat quarterback like Jayden and how big was that this year to exceed expectations, really, that the outside public had with his ability to run the ball and throw it?

COACH DENBROCK: Yeah, I think it was a big piece. There was an earlier question about how healthy Jayden feels. My opinion on that would be he has -- how many months do you have to heal up after this one?

Obviously, his ability to use his legs to make plays has been a huge part of our success this season. Whether that is getting out of the pocket and making plays or whether that is being an integral part of what we are going in the run game, he's a huge piece of the puzzle for us offensively, obviously, and having him back healthy and ready to go is a very positive thing for us moving into the game.

Q. With your two young offensive linemen, Will Campbell and Emery Jones, what development did you see from them throughout the season and what do you hope they can take into next year and build upon?

COACH DENBROCK: Yeah, and what those guys accomplished as true freshmen is not to be understated. Putting those guys against some of the people that they have to go against every week is something I thought they did a remarkable job of. It really speaks to their work ethic and how willing they were and how open they were to being coachable and learning. Quite frankly, putting themselves out there and not being afraid to make a mistake and that way they can learn from it and grow from it.

It is a credit to them and it is a credit to the preparation they did before they got here. It is a big credit to Brad Davis, obviously, with the development that he has done with those guys.

Q. In today's day and age with the transfer portal and players opting out, how challenging is it to prepare for a Bowl game when you have so many pieces moving around?

COACH DENBROCK: Impossible. It is a challenge for sure. Obviously, people have to make the decisions they feel are best for them moving forward, and we respect that 100 percent.

I think the guys that have decided to play in the game that are going to be available to us on January 2nd are guys that are 100 percent ready to get after it and represent LSU the way that LSU deserves to be represented.

Q. Building off of the question about having Jayden's dual-threat ability, how do you see that development continuing to happen next year? What are the focal points of how you want to grow with Jayden as a quarterback?

COACH DENBROCK: First off, probably the main reason Jayden was the opportunity to work with me again, next year, right?

JAYDEN DANIELS: Hundred percent. Hundred percent.

COACH DENBROCK: That's what I thought you were going to say.

But listen, I think the great thing that Jayden has done throughout the season is he has continued to work on the things he knows need addressing, which I think in his mind, he always knew he was athletic. He could get out of the pocket.

What has been remarkable for me is the development he has made as a thrower, and I think his accuracy has improved. I think his ability to see things, his movement keys, all those things have grown as the season has grown. I think his confidence has grown, and I think his ability to make plays in the game has grown.

Those are all things that can continue to be enhanced. We are excited to get to work on those things. First thing is first, of course, we have a big game right in from us, and we are going to take care of that first, hopefully.

Q. The majority of your offensive weapons appear to be coming back for next season. How exciting is that, and is this a part to next year with those players?

COACH DENBROCK: I think it is. What we are trying to focus on is finishing this year. We have a quality opponent standing right from us that we have to be prepared to play really good football against.

If you have known Purdue over the years -- [they're a] tough, physical bunch that is going to be a challenge for us, offensively, for sure. We are going to have to be ready to play our best football on January 2nd.

Hopefully, yes, we have a lot of people coming back, obviously, on the offensive side of the ball. We ended up playing a lot of young guys on offense. I think watching those guys develop and having an off-season with them and taking the positive things from this year and building on those, moving forward is something that is really exciting.

Q. How much or maybe specific areas did you see your game grow from your time at Arizona State to now, and then Mike, from what you saw on film to where Jayden was as he went through the season, where did you see him make some leaps?

JAYDEN DANIELS: Piggybacking off what he said, I always knew I was very athletic. I could make plays outside the pocket. It's going back to the movement keys.

And the big growth in the passing game, I would say the Tennessee game is kind of what clicked for me in the offense. The receivers, being out there on the same page and just going out there making plays, knowing where I am going to the win and being decisive about it.

As the season went on, confidence grew. I guess you could see that on the field from everybody, not just myself.

Q. I know next year you guys are going to start off the season right here in Orlando in Camping World Stadium. Is there anything you can take from this game to prepare for next year or are you guys just really centered and focused on this game coming up in just a couple days?

COACH DENBROCK: We are focused on what is right in front of our face. It is going to be enough of a challenge to make sure we do what we need to do in this game. We will take next year's game when it comes, and we'll be fully prepared for that one as well.

This has our main focus, and it has all of our attention for sure.