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Louisville Football: What does Lamar Jackson still have to prove?
Dec 31, 2016; Orlando , FL, USA;Louisville Cardinals quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) runs out of the pocket against the LSU Tigers during the second half at Camping World Stadium. LSU Tigers defeated the Louisville Cardinals 29-9. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson won the Heisman Trophy in 2016, but the soon-to-be junior has a lot left to prove in college and to the NFL.
Lamar Jackson won the Heisman Trophy in 2016 after compiling video game-like numbers with 5,114 total yards and 51 total touchdowns. A lot of players have produced similar numbers in Heisman campaigns, but he's on a different level.
His electric running ability is on par with Michael Vick and felt like he could be a scrambler-first. However, his beautiful deep ball looked like he could be Jameis Winston and throw every down from the pocket.
Although all these attributes and numbers are great, Jackson still has a lot left to improve upon. The biggest, most notable hole in his game is his accuracy. Jackson is great at creating big plays down the field, protecting the football, and getting outside the pocket to open passing lanes. Regardless, his every down throws are questionable.
In one of his best games of the season, Florida State, he showed his weaknesses. He overthrew wide open receivers and relied too much on his arm in a costly end zone interception. No one talks about it, because he hit the "b-button" on Florida State.
In fact, he's completed just 54.7 and 56.2 percent of his passes in his freshman and sophomore years respectively. Furthermore, the Louisville star has more than just his accuracy to build on.
Nov 17, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Louisville Cardinals quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) is tackled by Houston Cougars cornerback Jeremy Winchester (24) during the third quarter at TDECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
He needs to win big
Lamar Jackson has led Louisville to a 15-7 record in games where he's the leader in passing plays. He gives the Cards their best chance to win every week. Regardless, he doesn't champion a signature win. Yes, he has a bowl win under his belt and a 68.1 win percentage, but he hasn't beaten top teams consistently.
Florida State was ranked No. 2 when the Cards romped past the Seminoles 63-20, but the 'Noles weren't worthy of that ranking as noted by their 10-3 final record.
Now, before all Cardinals' fans attack me, he's performed admirably in big games. Jackson can play well on every stage, but he fell short on multiple occasions this year. Against Houston, Kentucky and LSU, he completed just 46-of-105 passes for 645 yards, three touchdowns against three interceptions.
Moreover, he rushed 51 times for 66 in yards in two of those losses. Houston and LSU buried Jackson by keeping him inside the pocket. Louisville started the season with a 9-1 sizzle but ended it with an 0-3 simmer. Jackson showed his brilliance against the national champions and Florida State compiling 819 total yards and eight total touchdowns, but he didn't do that on a consistent basis.
As the old adage goes, if you're the quarterback you get all the praise and all the blame. As unfair as that is, Jackson was part of the reason for losing some of those games. He has to prove he can beat great teams, especially with his arm, consistently.
Sep 24, 2016; Huntington, WV, USA; Louisville Cardinals quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) throws a pass for a touchdown to tight end Cole Hikutini (not pictured) against the Marshall Thundering Herd in the first half at Joan C. Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Can he pass purely from the pocket?
This is a question that will be left unanswered until the 2017 season is concluded. Right now, Jackson's not a polished passer from the pocket. Luckily for him, most quarterbacks lack the complete toolkit in college. Still, the Louisville star has a long road ahead.
Strong defenses gave Jackson fits during the season. They contained him and kept him within the pocket which occurred in the losses this past season. As much as his athleticism is otherworldly, even the best scramblers must adapt or die.
This lesson hit hard to signal callers such as Robert Griffin III and Colin Kaepernick. Cam Newton improved from the pocket, but he still struggles to stay accurate at all times. Ask the Denver Broncos' defense, it's the formula to success against scramblers.
Jackson's 6-foot-3, 205-pound frame helps his progression. A lot of scramblers are his size, but it will help to see over the line. A problem with many shorter scramblers is that they have to roll outside to create passing lanes. Jackson won't need to do that.
The jury is out, but he must make adjustments to increase his draft stock and the Cards' chances at a national title.
Dec 10, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Lamar Jackson from the University of Louisville wins the Heisman Trophy at Playstation Theater. Mandatory Credit: Todd J. Van Emst/Heisman Trust via USA TODAY Sports
Final Points
I harped on a lot of Jackson's problems over the last three pages, but bottom line he's on another level athletically. He's a Heisman Trophy winner and one of 19 players all-time to record 5,000 or more total yards in a single season. He's also the leader in terms of most rushing yards factoring into his 5,000-yard season.
He'll go down as one of the greatest players in college football history, but he isn't without faults. If he can make the jump in year three, Louisville has a shot to compete for a major bowl and possibly a national title.
Head coach Bobby Petrino wouldn't be in this position in his second Cards' tenure unless he had Jackson. He does, and it's easy to see why people think they could compete for a title.
If the Cardinals can finish stronger in 2017 than they did in 2016, Jackson will not only prove that he's a player who can carry his team, but he's also a winner with a leader's attitude. This kid is special, but he still has plenty to prove on the field.
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