Lamar Jackson took the college football world by storm in 2016, scoring more than 50 touchdowns, and winning the Heisman. Does he return in 2017?
Lamar Jackson won the Heisman Trophy last season, becoming the youngest player in the history of college football to do so. As a sophomore for the Louisville Cardinals, Jackson was incredible throwing for over 3,500 yards and 30 touchdowns. In addition, Jackson rushed for over 1,500 yards and 21 touchdowns, becoming the most dynamic player in college football.
As the calendar changes to the 2017 college football season, Jackson will once again be donning the red of the Louisville Cardinals, as he embarks on another successful season. The Cardinals got off to a fast start last season, but faltered late in the year, and ended up playing in the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl. The Cardinals were beaten by a tough LSU defense in the game, as the team finished up their season on a down note.
However, Jackson put his stamp on the 2016 college football season and won not only the Heisman but a plethora of other awards. Those awards included the Walter Camp Award, the Maxwell Award, Associated Press Player of the Year, and ACC Player and Offensive Player of the Year honors. Finally, he was announced as not only a conference 1st Team selection but a 1st Team All-American.
Louisville opens up their 2017 season against the Purdue Boilermakers at home, before hitting the road to play the University of North Carolina. Their biggest early-season test will come against the Clemson Tigers on September 16, in a rematch of an instant classic from last season. The Tigers beat the Cardinals in a 42-36 thriller in Death Valley last season, and the Cardinals will get to enact their revenge in front of their home fans in 2017.
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If Jackson does repeat the kind of performance he put together last season, he could be in line for another Heisman Trophy. If he can accomplish that, he would become only the second player in the history of college football to win the award twice. He will have some stiff competition ahead of him in 2017, but certainly, has the talent to bring home the hardware once again.