Louisville Football: Lamar Jackson will do just fine in NFL
In the first football action between the NFL and college levels since February, former Louisville football quarterback Lamar Jackson had all eyes on him.
Louisville football has a positive outlook for the 2018 season given the loss of the program’s best player over the course of the last three seasons. However, the 2016 Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Lamar Jackson seemingly made the right move when he left the Louisville Cardinals one year early.
The Baltimore Ravens selected Jackson with the final pick in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. His first game action in the NFL came against the Chicago Bears in the 2018 NFL Hall of Fame Game. That Hall of Fame Game officially started the 2018 NFL Preseason on Aug. 2.
In total, the stat line posted by Jackson in his limited action in the one point thrilling victory for the Ravens wasn’t all that impressive. He completed less than half of his passing attempts and also tossed one interception. Jackson also racked up 25 rushing yards on eight attempts.
It was the elusiveness and potential that Jackson showed in leading a touchdown drive and ultimately helping his team pull out the win that was the biggest positive takeaway for him. Every college football fan knew the raw talent and polarizing ability of Jackson to make opposing defenders miss. He also showed the improved pocket presence from his sophomore to junior seasons that would be required for him to succeed at the next level.
Jackson will continue to compete with fellow Ravens quarterback, and former Washington Redskins standout, Robert Griffin III for the backup job behind starter Joe Flacco. Since Jackson is likely the future at quarterback for the Ravens, his early development is very key to the success of the franchise long-term.
The 2018 NFL Preseason started off on the right foot with the 17-16 thriller between the Bears and the Ravens that featured one of the most exciting rookies in this class of first-year players.
Next. What will life be like for Louisville after Lamar Jackson?. dark
In terms of the outlook for the Cardinals this season, a new face of the program could emerge in new starting quarterback Jawon Pass. It was time for Jackson to move his career forward and he showed why in the Hall of Fame Game. Pass will now lead the Louisville offense with a lot of pressure on his shoulders to fill the shoes left open by Jackson.