Louisville QB doubles up
Jackson one-ups Watson entering Heisman race; Foreman top RB
ATLANTA — Lamar Jackson picked up another trophy for his marvelous season. He got a glimpse of the one he really wants.
The Louisville quarterback captured the Maxwell Award as the nation’s top college player Thursday night and signaled himself as the clear favorite for the Heisman Trophy.
Jackson already won the Walter Camp Award, also given to the best player.
“I’m shocked. I’ve got butterflies. I never had those before,” the sophomore said, posing with his Maxwell Award after a ceremony at the College Football Hall of Fame, where eight other award winners were announced.
In an interesting twist, Clemson’s Deshaun Watson claimed the Davey O’Brien award as the nation’s top quarterback for the second year in a row — beating out Jackson.
Now it’s on to New York, where they’re both finalists for college football’s most prestigious individual award.
“He’s a tremendous player himself. He’s done lot of great things,” Jackson said of Watson. “If he does (win the Heisman), oh well. Best man.”
Both quarterbacks got a look at a 25-pound Heisman Trophy on display in the Hall of Fame.
“It’s a big trophy,” Jackson said. “I’m going to need to do some more pushups.” Or maybe not. “I have a lot of confidence in the way I’ve played over the course of the season,” said Watson, who finished third in the Heisman race a year ago.
While the Maxwell voting is a solid indication of how the Heisman race might go, it’s no guarantee. In fact, only two of the last five winners — Derrick Henry and Marcus Mariota in 2014 — went on to capture the Heisman.
Also winning during Thursday’s awards ceremony:
• D’Onta Foreman provided a bright spot to Texas’ dismal season by winning the Doak Walker Award as the top college running back. He rushed for more than 2,000 yards and defied skeptics who said he would have to change position in college. “With everything going on in our program,” he said, referring to the firing of coach Charlie Strong, “I’m glad to bring this back to the Texas community.”
•Top-ranked Alabama picked up a trio of honors with end Jonathan Allen claiming the Chuck Bednarik Award as the top defensive player, tackle Cam Robinson earning the Outland Trophy as the best interior lineman and Reuben Foster taking the Butkus Award as top linebacker.
• Oklahoma’s Dede Westbrook claimed the Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s outstanding receiver after teaming with quarterback Baker Mayfield for 74 receptions, 1,465 yards and 16 touchdowns in a Big
12 championship season.
• Adoree’ Jackson of Southern Cal picked up the Jim Thorpe Award as the best defensive back.
• Deer Park’s Zane Gonzalez of Arizona State received the Lou Groza trophy as the top kicker, while the Ray Guy Award for best punter went to Utah’s Mitch Wishnowsky.