Heisman Watch 2017: Week 3

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CHAPEL HILL, NC – SEPTEMBER 09: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Louisville Cardinals looks to pass against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the game at Kenan Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Louisville won 47-35. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville

Don’t act like Lamar Jackson ever went anywhere. Coming into the 2017 college football season, the most curious thing that seemed to be happening in preseason discussions was how everyone seemed to be forgetting about Lamar Jackson. Considering that he won the 2016 Heisman Trophy, that seemed like a massive oversight. And after two games at the helm for the Cardinals this season, it seems even more massive of one.

Though the team around him isn’t as quality as it was last year — as evidenced by a one-score win over Purdue and then a two-score victory over North Carolina — Jackson is every bit as dynamic and scary. He’s already thrown for 771 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions to this point. Even better, he has 40 rushes for 239 yards and three more touchdowns. He’s still able to just make things happen and find the end zone seemingly at will.

As good as he’s been to this point, though, Jackson could make or break his Heisman campaign in Week 3 of the season. The Cardinals face the defending National Champion Clemson Tigers and what happens to be one of the best defenses in the country. How he performs against this level of competition could really start to get people to recognize that he never went anywhere after winning the award last season.

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