Lamar Jackson says he’s bigger and faster entering new season

After winning the Heisman Trophy last year, Lamar Jackson has his eye on being improved this year.

Lamar Jackson accounted for over 5,100 yards of offense and 51 touchdowns (30 passing, 21 rushing) last season, so his winning the Heisman Trophy was a formality. He did have areas to work on, though, including a 56.2 percent completion rate last year, and his slight build seems to make him susceptible to injury if a defender can ever square him up cleanly.

But Jackson is working to improve, with Louisville head coach Bobby Petrino having him watch film of Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady to become a better pocket passer. He also said he is up to 212 pounds, is approaching being able bench press 300 pounds and has gotten faster. All in all, Jackson has earned a place on the “Freaks List” for 2017 put together by Sports Illustrated’s Bruce Feldman.

"“I think I got faster,” he said. Later, he put it plainly: “Each and every day I’m trying to better myself.”"

If Jackson is indeed faster now, timed evidence aside, that’s a scary thought for opposing defenses as he attempts to put together a worthy encore to his Heisman campaign. Of course, “faster” could have other definitions, including being quicker with his reads as a passer and just being faster in general recognition of when it’s time to run or not.

Jackson particularly struggled as a passer in the red zone last year, completing just 47.6 percent of his passes inside the opponent’s 20-yard line during the regular season. Throwing windows are much tighter in the scoring area, and quick decision-making has to come along with great accuracy.

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By adding weight and working to improve as a passer, Jackson clearly has an eye on the next level. He has already said he has no intention to change positions in the NFL, while pointing to his passing touchdown total from 2016. With improvement as a more traditional passer this year, Jackson can put himself alongside Sam Darnold, Josh Allen and Josh Rosen among quarterbacks in the 2018 draft class.