For the second time last season, the Baltimore Ravens, led by Lamar Jackson, found their Lombardi Trophy dream dashed after making the playoffs. Though, surprisingly, like the past one, this time also the quarterback secured unanimous MVP of the season, the playoff loss left him “angry” due to their lackluster performance.
Anyways, Jackson’s journey to NFL stardom began long before he dazzled audiences on Sundays. His standout performance is nothing but a flash of athleticism, for which he garnered attention during his college days.
Lamar Jackson college team: All the details that you need
Lamar Jackson’s football journey took off from the grounds of Santaluces Community High School and Boynton Beach Community High School. After a stellar career in school, he started his college football venture with the Louisville Cardinals in 2015.
Surprisingly, he entered the college scene ranked as the No. 409 prospect in the 2015 recruiting class, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. Despite the odds, Jackson’s exceptional athleticism drew attention from various colleges, including football powerhouses like Auburn University, Ohio State University, and Florida State University.
However, he made a pivotal decision, opting for the Louisville Cardinals over other enticing options.
His time at Louisville was spectacular, where he displayed a skill set that soon made waves in the NFL. After a remarkable college career that concluded in 2017, he faced a crucial decision, choosing to forgo his fourth year of eligibility.
By announcing his entry into the 2017 NFL Draft, he soon made his NFL dream come true after being picked up by the final first-round pick of the 2018 NFL Draft.
Exploring Lamar Jackson’s NCAA career stats
In his freshman year, Jackson showcased his dual-threat abilities, throwing for 1,840 yards and 12 touchdowns while also rushing for 960 yards and 11 touchdowns. His outstanding performance led the Cardinals to an 8–5 record, with Jackson earning MVP honors at the 2015 Music City Bowl.
The former Cardinals’ star continued to shine in his sophomore season, amassing 3,543 passing yards, 30 touchdowns, and just 9 interceptions, along with 1,571 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns. These remarkable numbers earned him the prestigious Heisman Trophy, making him the first player from Louisville to receive the honor.
In his final year of college in 2017, Jackson maintained his impressive form as well, throwing for 3,660 yards and 27 touchdowns while rushing for 1,601 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Meanwhile, the future-Ravens starter etched his name into the FBS record book numerous times. He holds records for most consecutive games with 300 passing yards and 100 rushing yards, and he is one of only 17 players in FBS history to record 40 passing touchdowns and 40 rushing touchdowns in a career.
Additionally, he ranks sixth in FBS history in career rushing yards by a quarterback, with an impressive total of 4,132 yards, per NCAA.
His remarkable college career earned him a plethora of awards and accolades, including the 2016 Heisman Trophy, ACC Player of the Year honors, and recognition as a unanimous All-American.
