2018 NFL Draft: Louisville QB Lamar Jackson penalized for fight
Lamar Jackson was nearly kicked out of the Cardinals final regular season game
One week after 2018 NFL Draft quarterback prospect Baker Mayfield was penalized for making a lewd gesture his quarterback counterpart at Louisville was caught in a mishap of his own.
Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson received an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after being involved in a small fight in the first quarter against Kentucky.
After taking an eight-yard run out of bounds near the end zone Jackson received a late shove from Kentucky linebacker Jordan Jones. Another Louisville player came in and shoved Jones, who was then on the ground wrestling with Jackson.
After a small congregation assumed near the pile on both teams were assessed two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties apiece.
Louisville went on to score after an ensuing offsides penalty to put them up 14-0 at Kentucky.
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Jackson’s character, unlike Mayfield, rarely comes into question and the energy built up for a rivalry game and wanting to protect a teammate and stand up for himself got the best of him. Jackson has to be smarter than that with the eyes of the NFL watching closely.
Jackson started the game 6/6 with 82 passing yards and 43 yards on the ground to help put the bowl-bound Cardinals up by 14 in the first.
Should Jackson declare for the NFL Draft he’ll be in the first round conversation along with USC’s Sam Darnold, UCLA’s Josh Rosen, Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield, and Oklahoma State’s Mason Rudolph.
Next: 2018 NFL Draft QB rankings: Rudolph rising
Given his slight frame and playing style, NFL teams may be hesitant to take a chance on Jackson early. Look for the New York Jets, Arizona Cardinals, and Cleveland Browns to take a close look at the Heisman Trophy winner.