Louisville Football: Jackson’s junior season still spectacular

Louisville football‘s starting quarterback Lamar Jackson did not win his second Heisman trophy, but deserves praise for another incredible year nonetheless.

Lamar Jackson finished third in the 2017 Heisman Trophy voting behind runner-up Bryce Love and winner Baker Mayfield. There was little doubt that Mayfield would claim the award when the three finalists were invited to New York. The margin of victory was indeed significant. Mayfield received 86 percent of all points possible, the fourth most dominant result in the history of the Heisman Trophy.

Mayfield received 2,398 points with Love earning 1,300 and Jackson claiming 793. Despite the lower total, Jackson’s season was absolutely extraordinary. In many respects, Jackson was actually better this season than when he won the Heisman a year ago.

Jackson completed more of his passes (60 percent in 2017, 56 percent in 2016). He threw less interceptions (six, nine) and averaged more yards per attempt (8.0, 7.1). He’ll exceed his passing yardage totals during the Cardinal’s bowl game to end the season.

The goal of this season for Jackson was to prove he could thrive as a pocket passer. He made significant strides through the air and did enough to hear his name called in the upcoming NFL Draft. While he doesn’t profile as well as “prototypical” pocket passes like Sam Darnold and Josh Rose, a first round selection isn’t out of the question just yet.

Next: Post-Regular Season 2018 NFL Mock Draft

Jackson’s junior season will be remembered along the lines of a myriad of other returning Heisman winners that weren’t able to repeat. Despite the lack of notoriety during the year, Jackson was better in 2017 and the numbers back that up. Heisman or not, it was a terrific season for Jackson. It will go down as the sending off party for one of the more dynamic players college football has seen in a long while.