One of the most exciting players in college football history is heading to the pros as Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson declared Friday morning that he'll enter the 2018 NFL Draft.
The 2016 Heisman Trophy winner leaves Louisville as the best player in program history, and holds a number of records both nationally and with the school.
- First player in college football history to throw for 3,000 yards and rush for 1,000 yards in consecutive seasons
- First underclassman to reach 9,000 passing yards and 4,000 rushing yards
- Set Louisville program records for total offense in a season, in a game, and in a career
- Holds Louisville record for single-season, single-game, and career touchdowns
- Broke Louisville record for career rushing yards, single-season rushing yards, and career rushing touchdowns
Jackson is among the most electrifying dual-threat quarterbacks in college history. He led the ACC in both passing and rushing in 2017. In his final collegiate campaign, he completed 59 percent of his passes for 3,660 yards and 27 touchdowns against 10 interceptions. He also ran for a stunning 1,601 yards and 18 scores.
NFL analysts are divided when it comes to Jackson's potential at the professional level. Most say he's a likely first-round pick, but ESPN's Bill Polian suggests he might be a receiver.
Expect Jackson to blow people away with his speed at the combine - he could even challenge Michael Vick's record for quarterbacks in the 40-yard dash at 4.33 seconds. Vick, who eventually went No. 1 overall to the Atlanta Falcons, ranked below Jackson in virtually every single passing category heading to the NFL. He's also on the record as saying the Louisville star is "five times better" than he was at Virginia Tech.
