Jackson doesn’t think about Heisman repeat

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Lamar Jackson didn’t start last season thinking about winning the Heisman Trophy. It just ended up that way.

Of course the Louisville quarterback had a lot to do with outcome, thanks to his dizzying array of open-field moves and downfield throws.

Jackson figures it’s a good approach to start this year, too, even with the chance to become only the second player to repeat as a Heisman winner.

“I love the game of football,” Jackson said Thursday during the Atlantic Coast Conference’s preseason media days. “I didn’t think I would win the Heisman Trophy — it just happened, just playing football. And that’s what I’m doing this year.

“I’m trying to win games and win a national championship. That’s the biggest thing to me.”

Jackson, a 6-foot-3-inch, 211-pound junior from Pompano Beach, Florida, was a one-man offense for the Cardinals. He passed for 3,543 yards and 30 touchdowns with nine interceptions while ranking second in the ACC in rushing with 1,571 yards to go with a league-best 21 TDS on the ground and rank fifth nationally.

While the Heisman has been around since 1935, there’s only been one player to win twice: Ohio State running back Archie Griffin in 1974 and 1975.

Jackson knows all about it. Asked about that history, Jackson immediately brought up a conversation he had with Griffin since winning last year’s honor.

“He said, ‘I’m the only person that’s done it,’ something like that,” Jackson said. “But he just talked to me, saying, ‘You’ve got to play harder this year because they’re going to be coming after you.’”

Defenders expect Jackson will have some new tricks in 2017.

“Shifty, fast — he’s just an all-around great athlete,” North Carolina State senior defensive end Bradley Chubb said. “No matter how hard you try to prepare for it, he’s going to bring out something new when you’re playing him.”