Former Louisville QB Lamar Jackson once revealed the signature moment of his final year at college
Like Caleb Williams of the Chicago Bears, Lamar Jackson also played one more college football season for Louisville before declaring for the NFL draft after winning the Heisman Trophy in 2016. His numbers landed him in third place as a Heisman finalist, losing out to Oklahoma standout Baker Mayfield in 2017.
During a discussion on "The Dan Patrick Show" in December 2016, the host asked Jackson to name one moment from the season that stands out. Lamar initially felt short on words before recalling a pass he made to Jamari Staples in the NC State game.
"I would say a pass play to Jamari Staples," Jackson said (4:40 onwards). "It was a post pattern during the NC State game. There was a safety coming down, a cornerback on his back, and Cole Hikutini was running the route right in front of him. So people thought the ball was going to Cole, but instead, it went to Jamari, right in his chest.
"It was a bullet pass, and Jamari made a tremendous catch. It was a success."
The host made sure to pinch Lamar Jackson, saying he picked a pass instead of a run game, to which Jackson replied:
"It's part of the game, you know. People always try to put you down for certain things. If they see you're electric running the ball, they want to say, 'Oh, he's not efficient passing the ball.' Or if they say you're a great passer, then it's, 'Oh, he's really slow at running.' It's all just football talk, man."
Lamar Jackson reveals his favorite team growing up
During the same segment on the show, Dan Patrick asked Lamar Jackson about his favorite team growing up. The Baltimore Ravens quarterback replied, "Dallas Cowboys."
Jackson also discussed recruiting, talking about receiving a scholarship from Mississippi State, where Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott spent five years, including a redshirting freshman year.
Lamar Jackson also revealed a hilarious story with the Georgia Bulldogs. While most teams were OK with having Jackson at quarterback, the Bulldogs wanted him to play wideout instead due to his running abilities.
"You know, Georgia offer me. Defense coordinator called me, I was like, 'Oh no, you called the wrong person,'" Jackson said.
There was a growing consensus among college football teams to see Jackson as a wide receiver/running back instead of a signal-caller, which requires relatively less athletic abilities.
However, his mom, Felicia Jones, was adamant that Jackson play only quarterback, a decision that was so true as Lamar Jackson would go on to win two NFL MVPs at such an early age.