Lamar not focused on Heisman repeat
like the supporting cast that a lot of them have coming back. It’s just a matter of if improvements are made during the offseason and the rapport is developed with the receivers.”
“If it is, the offenses in this league could take a significant step forward.”
Hurts helped lead Alabama to the national championship game before losing to Clemson. The 6-foot-2, 214-pounder threw for 2,780 yards and 23 touchdowns while also running for 954 yards and 13 touchdowns.
The ability to throw and run is a common theme for the league’s young quarterbacks.
Fitzgerald was one of the biggest surprises in the SEC last season, winning the starting job during fall camp before throwing for 2,423 yards and running for 1,375 yards. The 6-foot-5, 230-pounder is extremely quick for his size and once he got going in the open field, he proved very difficult to bring down. 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 the 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
Eason led the Bulldogs to an 8-5 record in both his and coach Kirby Smart’s first season. Eason had some ups and downs, but finished with 2,430 yards 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-foot3, 211-pound junior from Pompano Beach, Florida, was a one-man offense for passing, 16 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
Patterson, the Ole Miss freshman, was forced into action late in the season after senior Chad the Cardinals. He threw 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.
Now comes the challenge of following up on all that production, and doing it with the pressure that arrives the moment someone hoists that famous trophy presented to college Kelly suffered a season-ending knee injury. He started just three games, but managed to throw for 880 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions. He also ran for 169 yards.
His relatively slight 6-foot2, 200-pound frame and ability to improvise on running plays has drawn some comparisons to Manziel. He said he’s studied tape of Manziel to see how he moved in the pocket, but he’s especially partial to watching film of Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers.
“You find yourself doing what they do — without even trying to do it,” Patterson said. —AP football’s top player.
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.”’ —AP