Louisville Cardinals

Louisville Football: 5 National Awards Lamar Jackson could win this year

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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This is a special year for Louisville football and quarterback Lamar Jackson, therefore we take a look at a list of National awards he could win.

Everyone has been talking about Louisville football‘s Lamar Jackson this season. When I say everyone, I mean literally everyone. National Football League writers, college football writers, Kentucky Wildcats fans, Clemson fans, and especially Kirk Herbstreit.

To be completely serious, Jackson is having one of the best seasons that a college quarterback has ever had in the history of college football. We have all heard how Heisman Trophies are not won in September and while that may be true, Jackson keeps passing every test that has been thrown at him this season.

People wanted to see him beat Florida State and what did he do? He absolutely destroyed the Seminoles defense and sent them home packing and confused. While the Cards didn’t beat Clemson, Jackson surely showed the entire nation why he is the best player in the Cardinals’ losing comeback effort on the road.

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There are a ton of awards that Jackson is going to be considered for at the end of the season and he might be the top candidate in each award right now. It’s still a long season and a lot could happen, but I don’t see any team on Louisville’s schedule figure him out.

They have done a great job of being balanced on offense that Louisville isn’t just all Lamar Jackson, but he is what makes their team great.

Here is a list of the National awards that Jackson could win this season:

Sep 17, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) avoids the tackle of Florida State Seminoles linebacker Dontavious Jackson (5) during the second quarter at Papa John

Davey O’Brien Award:

You have to figure that Jackson is a shoe-in for this award regardless of how the Heisman trophy works out. He is going to break some long-time records before this season is over and should have an edge over Deshaun Watson. Other than Watson, the only other guy who could win this award is Washington’s Jake Browing.

Here are past recipients of the award according to Sports Reference:

Next: Heisman Trophy

Dec 12, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Alabama running back Derrick Henry name appears on the Heisman Trophy during a press conference at the New York Marriott Marquis after winning the trophy during the 81st annual Heisman Trophy presentation. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Heisman Trophy:

This may be more of a toss up since Deshaun Watson was already a finalist last season. He may end up winning if Clemson is still undefeated by December, but you never know until that day comes. Jackson has an extremely strong case to be the country’s most outstanding player.

Here are the past Heisman winners according to sports reference:

Next: Maxwell

Sep 9, 2016; Syracuse, NY, USA; Louisville Cardinals quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) leaps over Syracuse Orange defensive back Cordell Hudson (20) while running with the ball during the second quarter at the Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Maxwell Award:

Come on, if Jackson doesn’t win the Heisman, then he has to win this award. Jackson has taken the college football world by storm and he is only a sophomore. There is still more than half a season to go and Jackson isn’t going to slow down any time soon. He is the nation’s best player, hands down.

Here are the past award winners provided by Sports Reference:

Next: AP Player of the year

Sep 1, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) runs the ball past Charlotte 49ers defensive back AJ McDonald (41) during the first quarter to score a touch down at Papa John

AP Player of the year

The associated press has loved the Louisville football team all season long. Even with their one loss, they are still the highest ranked one-loss team in the whole country. Just like the Heisman, Watson could steal this one from Jackson, but that would take an incredible second half effort by Mr. Clemson himself.

Here are the past award winners:

Next: Walter Camp

Sep 24, 2016; Huntington, WV, USA; Louisville Cardinals quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) throws a pass for a touchdown to wide receiver James Quick (not pictured) against the Marshall Thundering Herd in the first half at Joan C. Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Walter Camp Award:

Lamar Jackson might as well go ahead and buy a bigger trophy case because this is going to be another award that he will be bringing home this season. In a year where he has risen above every other individual in the country, Jackson is on pace for a record-breaking season. This Walter Camp Award will be another validation of the player Jackson is becoming.

Here are the past award winners:

Next: 5 overreactions after the loss to Clemson