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Why Louisville football’s Lamar Jackson is the real deal

By Derek Snyder

Dec 30, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Louisville Cardinals quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) runs for a 62-yard touchdown run during the first half against the Texas A&M Aggies in the 2015 Music City Bowl at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Louisville Cardinals quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) runs for a 62-yard touchdown run during the first half against the Texas A&M Aggies in the 2015 Music City Bowl at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /
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Louisville football’s expectations for the 2016 season rest squarely on the shoulders of sophomore quarterback Lamar Jackson.

There are many quarterbacks in the NCAA that begin to make a name for themselves and quickly lose steam achieving superstar status. Some of those players have gotten hurt, some have been game-planned for and others just peak before they can really achieve national stardom. As it appears, Louisville football’s Lamar Jackson is on a fast track to taking over the College Football World. However, does Jackson have what it takes to become the real deal? Absolutely, let me tell you why.

Lamar Jackson has big time play ability that starts with his legs. He has breakaway speed that makes wide receivers jealous. There are not too many quarterbacks in the ACC, or even the NCAA that have the breakaway speed that Jackson presents from behind center. No matter who Louisville plays this season, that team will have to game-plan for Lamar Jackson. However, that is going to take discipline from the defense and staying home on their assignments.

A huge problem with Jackson in the 2015 season was turnovers. He struggled with his decision making and there were major problems on hand-offs in their read-option plays. Interceptions and fumbles forced Coach Bobby Petrino to bench Jackson, which in hindsight, could have been the best thing for him.

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The last two games of the season were clear indicators of how far Jackson had come in those two areas. His ability to read the defense when the read-option was presented, absolutely destroyed Kentucky and gave Texas A&M all they could handle in the Music City Bowl. Some guys plateau and some guys get worse, but Lamar Jackson is getting better.

Defenders have an extremely difficult time playing sideline to sideline in college football and Lamar Jackson has the speed to beat almost anyone to the sideline. What puts Jackson into the “Real Deal” category is that if the sideline is taken away, he is able to use to his quickness and field vision to cut back inside as a runner and find open space. This is so hard for linebackers and corners to defend, not to mention safeties have hardly any time to re-adjust on their assignments and chase him down. If they can even catch up to him.

Jackson’s ability as a runner poses a huge threat to the defense and the read-option will force defenders to keep their eyes on Jackson at all time. This will leave big-time opportunities for Jackson to find open receivers down-field. Players like James Quick and Jamari Staples could have huge seasons for the Cardinals because of Jackson’s threat of pulling the ball down and running.

He has a great arm and his accuracy has improved this offseason. It is crucial for Jackson to keep improving in this area of his game in order to exploit major flaws that these college defenses are sure to show. Don’t be worried though, there will be moments in games where defenses will not know how to defend Louisville’s offense because of his arm.

A big part of why Jackson will be the “Real Deal” is because of the receiving talents he will have alongside him. James Quick, Jamari Staples, Ja’Quay Savage and Cole Hikutini all have the ability to stretch the field. Not only will they have many plays one-on-one with defenders, but they will also spread out the defense to the point where opposing teams will have to decide if they want to force Jackson to fit in ball in the open space or find it with his legs.

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In case it wasn’t clear, Lamar Jackson is going to be the real deal. He needs some work on his in-game passing, spring games only count for so much. However, if Lamar Jackson can keep finding ways to create big-plays with his legs, his passing game is only going to be the cherry on top of a great Louisville career.

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