The exceptional performance of LSU’s offense last season propelled its top players into highly sought-after prospects. Jayden Daniels, Malik Nabers, and Brian Thomas were all selected in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. While it was anticipated that they would be chosen early on, the exact teams they would join remained uncertain.
Their anticipation ended on Thursday night in Detroit as the first round unfolded with a focus on offensive players. Daniels was selected second overall by the Washington Commanders, Nabers went sixth to the New York Giants, and Thomas was chosen by the Jacksonville Jaguars at No. 23.
\
Their high draft positions further cemented their legacy at LSU after their contributions to one of the program’s most potent offenses. LSU tied with Washington and Alabama for the most first-round picks.
This marked the fourth time in the common era that LSU produced three or more first-round picks in a single draft. The school set a record with five players drafted in 2020 and had four in 2007. Additionally, three players were selected in the opening round in 2017.
Daniels, who won the Heisman Trophy last season, became the fifth LSU quarterback ever selected in the first round, joining Y.A. Tittle (1948, 1951), Bert Jones (1973), JaMarcus Russell (2007), and Joe Burrow (2020). His selection also made LSU the first school to have four quarterbacks drafted in the top 3 in the common era.
Nabers’ selection marked another milestone for LSU as the Tigers became the first school to have a quarterback and wide receiver picked in the top 10 of the same NFL draft. The streak of offensive players continued throughout the first round, with six quarterbacks chosen for the first time since 1983, including five in the top 10, and a total of 23 offensive players selected before the first defensive player was chosen.
Although Daniels had been the focus of the Commanders, he expressed uncertainty about his destination until the moment of selection. Nabers, following Daniels in the draft, expressed his excitement and gratitude for being chosen by the Giants, recalling his interaction with coach Brian Daboll, who appreciated his playing style.
Thomas was drafted later than expected but still became the fourth wide receiver taken, joining Nabers to make history as the second wide receiver tandem from LSU to be selected in the first round of the same draft.
All three players, representing different teams, shared the joy of being drafted in the first round, acknowledging their Baton Rouge roots and the opportunity to embark on their NFL careers together.