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Davey O’Brien Award watch list 2017: 5 favorites to win

By John Buhler

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Sam Darnold No. 14 of the USC Trojans looks to pass the ball against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the 2017 Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 2, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Sam Darnold No. 14 of the USC Trojans looks to pass the ball against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the 2017 Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 2, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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Lamar Jackson

Quarterback, Louisville Cardinals

Even though he won the 2017 Heisman Trophy as a true sophomore quarterback for the Louisville Cardinals, Lamar Jackson did not take home the 2017 Davey O’Brien Award. Jackson did things on the college football gridiron we haven’t seen since Michael Vick played for the Virginia Tech Hokies 15 years ago. However, Jackson needs to improve as a passer in 2017 to win this award.

While he did throw for 3,453 yards and 30 touchdowns for Louisville a year ago, Jackson only completed only 56.2 percent of his passes as a true sophomore. As the weather changed in November, Jackson’s elusiveness diminished and so did his ACC Atlantic football team.

2017 is a huge year for Jackson. His Cardinals are not by any means a favorite to come out of the ACC Atlantic and he could turn pro after his true junior season. However, he’s slender in build at only 6-foot-3, 205 pounds and he hasn’t proven to be an overly accurate passer in college. Nobody denies Jackson’s abilities to make plays with his legs and stretch the field with his powerful right arm, but his game may not translate to the next level if he can’t improve his pocket presence.

That being said, it’s not like the O’Brien Award voters don’t know who Jackson is. He was the most electrifying college football player last year. He’s still young and has taken well to Bobby Petrino’s coaching the last two years. If he can eclipse 60 percent completion and still run all over the ACC, Jackson can definitely add a Davey O’Brien Award to his growing trophy collection.

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