Brian Kelly: Joe Burrow vs. Jayden Daniels NFL Matchup 'Speaks to' LSU's Development

LSU head coach Brian Kelly was proud to see two former Tigers quarterbacks face off when the Cincinnati Bengals' Joe Burrow and Washington Commanders' Jayden Daniels competed on Monday Night Football.

"I didn't get a chance to see, but I saw a number of clips as we were preparing for South Alabama," Kelly said during a Wednesday teleconference between SEC coaches (h/t Tiger Droppings.) "Certainly, when you have two Heisman trophy winners that are currently in the NFL, which is unprecedented, going against each other and playing at such a high level, it speaks to what can happen in the development at the quarterback position at LSU.

"Then you add Ja'Marr Chase, and Malik Nabers had a great day. There's so many great things happening in terms of the development of the players that can come in and compete right away. Joe did it, Jayden's doing, Malik's doing it... there are so many players."

Kelly concluded: "It just speaks to the player development piece here at LSU relative to coming in and playing for championships but also preparing yourself for the NFL. It helps us a great deal and resonates in recruiting."

The Commanders won over Burrow and the Bengals, 38-33, as Daniels recorded three total touchdowns on Monday.

Daniels threw for 254 yards and two touchdowns on 21-of-23 passing, while adding 39 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries.

Burrow meanwhile threw for 324 yards and three touchdowns. Former LSU star wideout Ja'Marr Chase made six receptions, including two touchdown catches, for 118 receiving yards in the loss.

The day prior, Nabers was in action on Sunday during the New York Giants' 21-15 win over the Cleveland Browns. The former Tigers star made eight catches for 78 yards and two touchdowns.

Burrow and Chase both starred for LSU prior to the announcement of Kelly's hiring in November 2021, both playing two seasons together with the Tigers prior to entering the 2019 NFL draft.

Daniels and Nabers both played under Kelly prior to entering the NFL. Before he was selected with the No. 2 pick by the Washington Commanders, Daniels became the first LSU quarterback since Burrow to win the Heisman with his 40-touchdown 2023 campaign for the Tigers.

Those weren't the only former LSU stars selected during the first round of the 2024 draft. The Jacksonville Jaguars used the No. 23 pick to draft wideout Brian Thomas Jr., who made a touchdown catch in his Sept. 8 NFL debut, a Week 1 loss at the Miami Dolphins.

Kelly has previously said he isn't interested in "going to go out and buy players" in the NCAA transfer portal. Although NIL deals will undoubtedly play a key role in the Tigers' roster construction, it seems the third-year LSU head coach is also hoping his program's history of turning college stars into first-round NFL draft picks will also help in drawing talent to Baton Rouge.