NFL scouts are split on whether Lamar Jackson will be a franchise quarterback, but this TD throw against Florida State proves he can.
Lamar Jackson has nothing left to prove. The Louisville quarterback and reigning Heisman Trophy winner is one of the most exciting and explosive players in college football. He can run, he can throw, and he can consistently lead his team into the end zone.
Nevertheless, chatter from NFL evaluators, including anonymous scouts, online opinion-makers and talking heads on television, often debate whether Jackson has what it takes to be a franchise QB in the NFL. They discuss whether he’s the product of head coach Bobby Petrino’s offensive system, whether his arm is accurate enough to operate in a pro offense, and whether he’ll be able to hold up physically given his slim 6-foot-3, 211-pound build and his tendency to take off and run.
The debate is sure to continue for years. The junior may or may not enter the 2018 NFL Draft, and even after he’s drafted, chatter is sure to follow the Heisman winner until he gets his opportunity to guide an NFL offense of his own.
But Jackson made a throw Saturday that should quiet many of his doubters, for at least a little while. On second-and-10 with his team trailing 14 shortly before halftime, Jackson took the snap from center, took a quick step back and let fly a perfectly thrown touchdown pass to Sean Dawkins.
The 26-yard touchdown pass came against a talented Florida State defense with several NFL prospects on the field, showing Jackson is capable of making big plays against top competition. Also, though Petrino drew up the play and called for the smash concept at the perfect time to set up the touchdown, Jackson did the hard part: he delivered an accurate pass with perfect touch against tight coverage.
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In other words, Jackson made an NFL throw to lead his team into the end zone.