Jayden Daniels and Payton Wilson Win Top College Football Awards

Daniels, a Heisman Trophy finalist, led the nation's best offense at LSU, while Wilson excelled defensively for North Carolina State.

LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels won the Davey O’Brien Award as the top quarterback in college football, and Payton Wilson of North Carolina State won the Chuck Bednarik Award as the top defensive player.
Daniels, a San Bernardino, California, native who transferred to LSU from Arizona State in 2022, led the nation’s best offense this season as the Tigers gained 4,946 yards in 12 games (412.2 per game). He passed for 3,812 yards, third nationally, and his 40 TDs passing were tied for first with Oregon QB Bo Nix, who played in one more game than Daniels.
Daniels is a finalist for the Heisman Trophy alongside Nix, Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.
Wilson was involved in 138 tackles for the Wolfpack with six sacks, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and three interceptions.
Daniels is yet to decide whether he will play in the ReliaQuest Bowl against Wisconsin, while Nix has confirmed he will play for the Ducks when they face Liberty in the Fiesta Bowl on New Year’s Day.