Lamar Jackson runs with the ball against Murray State. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Reigning Heisman Trophy Lamar Jackson has the attention of Florida State head football coach Jimbo Fisher. And Fisher's comments about the Louisville quarterback will get the attention of football fans in Virginia.
"You'd have to say he's a Michael Vick type guy," Fisher explained when describing Jackson during Florida State's media session Monday in advance of Saturday's game vs. Jackson and the Cardinals.
"He's like Vick was back in the day," Fisher added. "I remember in the 1999 national championship game (played January 4, 2000 between Virginia Tech and Florida State), there were a ton of of first round guys that [Florida State] defense that couldn't touch him. If I remember, Virginia Tech was winning going into the fourth quarter and a lot of that had to do with trying to get [Vick] on the ground. Nothing against nobody, but [Jackson] is one of those special guys that only comes around so often."
Michael Vick runs with the ball during the Nokita Sugar Bowl Game against Florida State. (Credit: Brian Bahr /Allsport)
Fisher is, indeed, correct. Behind Vick's efforts, the Hokies led Florida State 29-28 entering the fourth quarter. The Seminoles scored 18 unanswered points in the final 13 minutes to beat Tech, 46-29.
Vick rushed for 97 yards and a touchdown vs. FSU while passing for 225 yards and another score. It was his final game before being selected first overall in the 2000 NFL Draft.
In two and a half seasons (32 games), Jackson has rushed for 3,221 yards and 42 touchdowns (101 yards/game) while passing for 7,705 yards and 58 touchdowns (240 yards/game). He was awarded the Heisman Trophy last season as college football's best player.
In his two seasons at Virginia Tech (22 games), Vick rushed for 1,299 yards and 17 touchdowns (59 yards/game) while passing for 3,299 yards and 21 touchdowns (150 yards/game).
