Lamar Jackson Draft Stock Hit Hard By Clemson Game

Irony is always prevalent in the world of football. Lamar Jackson is learning this first hand as his hopes for the 2018 NFL draft waver.

What’s amazing is what a difference a year makes. In 2016 it was an electric performance against Clemson that really put the Louisville quarterback on the map as a Heisman hopeful and possible high draft choice. He threw for 292 yards, ran for 162 more and accounted for three touchdowns. There were no answers for him that night. So one can imagine the national champs weren’t looking forward to seeing him again.

As it turns out though, Clemson knew what to expect this time. Coupled with a wealth of defensive talent, they brought Jackson’s hot 2017 start to a screeching halt in their rematch. The Cardinals were hammered 42-21 and Jackson was a non-factor in the first half. Albert Breer of the MMQB believes this was another sign that Jackson struggles whenever he faced talented or well-coached defenses.

"“His numbers weren’t horrid, but he stumbled through the first half (8-20, 83 yards; 7 carries, 47 yards) as Louisville fell behind 19-7, at home against Clemson. Then he threw a back-breaker of a pick-six early in the third quarter. That extended Clemson’s lead to 26-7, and furthered doubts about how Jackson plays when the level of competition is amped up.”"

The problem is, like many great athletic quarterbacks is he’s rendered mortal by defenses who are just as athletic as him. In those situations he has to be precise in his passing and his execution. Once again like the second half of last season he wasn’t. There has been an undercurrent of belief that Jackson doesn’t have a bright future in the NFL. At least not as a quarterback. Most believe his best shot will be as a wide receiver.

That’s unless he can change the perception in the coming months. That will require showing up against top competition like Florida State and N.C. State. If he falters during that stretch, it’s bound to make his situation even worse.