For the first time ever, a Louisville Cardinal will head to New York as a finalist for the Heisman Trophy.
U of L quarterback Lamar Jackson will join Oklahoma's Baker Mayfield, Michigan's Jabrill Peppers, Clemson's Deshaun Watson and Oklahoma's Dede Westbrook for the Heisman Trophy Award Ceremony, which will take place Saturday at 8 p.m. at the PlayStation Theatre in New York City. ESPN will have full coverage of the event.
"I'm extremely humbled and honored to be a Heisman Trophy finalist," Jackson said in a release. "This is a great honor for me, but it's an honor that goes to my teammates too. Without them, I wouldn't have been able to be successful and I share this accomplishment with them. It's a great honor and I'm excited, but I'm looking forward to preparing for the Citrus Bowl against LSU."
Jackson set the ACC record by accounting for 51 combined touchdowns (rushing and passing), this season, and also became the first player in FBS history to throw for at least 30 touchdowns and rush for at least 20 more in a 12-game regular season. He also broke the conference record for rushing yards and rushing touchdowns (21) by a quarterback in addition to rewriting the school's single-season rushing record with 1,538 yards. He accounted for 73.4 percent of his team's total offense this season.
"I am very pleased for Lamar Jackson, our program and the University of Louisville," UofL head coach Bobby Petrino said. "The effect Lamar has had on our program is unparalleled. He is a great competitor who has used his abilities and strengths to become the best player in the nation, in my opinion."
