Lamar Jackson’s journey from a dynamic college quarterback to an NFL superstar has been defined by a remarkable collection of awards and honors. As the signal-caller for the Baltimore Ravens, Jackson has shattered expectations and rewritten the record books, earning accolades that recognize his unique blend of arm strength, elusiveness, and football intelligence. This comprehensive look at his career milestones traces the timeline of his achievements, from his electrifying Heisman Trophy season at the University of Louisville to his historic NFL MVP campaigns and beyond.

High School and Early Recognition

Before he became a household name, Jackson began earning recognition at Boynton Beach Community High School in Florida. A dual-threat quarterback even then, he was rated a four-star recruit by 247Sports and selected to play in the 2015 U.S. Army All-American Bowl. In his senior season, he threw for 1,384 yards and 18 touchdowns while rushing for 1,352 yards and 16 scores, earning Florida Mr. Football honors in 2014. That statewide award placed him among the elite high school quarterbacks in the country, joining alumni such as Tim Tebow and Emmitt Smith.

Jackson also participated in the 2014 Florida High School Athletic Association state playoffs, leading Boynton Beach to an 8–4 record. He was named the Palm Beach Post’s Offensive Player of the Year and received an invitation to play in the 2015 Under Armour All-America Game, though he ultimately competed in the U.S. Army Bowl. Those early honors set the stage for a college career that would capture the nation’s attention.

College Career Achievements

Lamar Jackson’s two-year stint as Louisville’s starting quarterback was nothing short of historic. His explosive style and jaw-dropping statistics made him the face of college football in 2016 and kept him in the Heisman conversation through 2017. Under head coach Bobby Petrino, Jackson became the embodiment of the modern dual-threat quarterback, piling up over 9,000 total yards and 99 touchdowns across his sophomore and junior seasons.

Heisman Trophy (2016)

Jackson won the Heisman Trophy as a sophomore in 2016, becoming the youngest recipient at the time and the first Louisville player ever to claim the award. He received 2,144 points and 526 first-place votes, one of the most decisive victories in Heisman history. His 2016 stat line—3,543 passing yards, 30 passing touchdowns, 1,571 rushing yards, and 21 rushing scores—demonstrated a dual-threat capability rarely seen at the position. He joined Cam Newton as the only players in FBS history to throw for 30 touchdowns and rush for 20 in a single season. Jackson’s Heisman acceptance speech, in which he thanked his mother and teammates, became one of the most memorable moments of the ceremony.

The Heisman win was not just a personal achievement; it put Louisville football on the national map. Jackson’s highlight reel from that season—including a 62-yard touchdown run against Syracuse and a 223-yard rushing performance against Wake Forest—is still replayed on college football broadcasts.

ACC Offensive Player of the Year (2016, 2017)

Jackson dominated the Atlantic Coast Conference for two consecutive years. He won the ACC Offensive Player of the Year in both 2016 and 2017, the first player in conference history to earn the honor twice. In those seasons, he accounted for 99 total touchdowns and amassed more than 9,000 yards of total offense. His 2017 campaign included a career-high 4,932 total yards, leading the ACC in passing yards (3,660), passing touchdowns (27), rushing yards (1,601), and rushing touchdowns (18). He also set the ACC record for career rushing yards by a quarterback with 4,132.

Beyond the conference honor, Jackson was named the ACC Player of the Year by both the coaches and the media in both seasons, further cementing his legacy as one of the league’s all-time greats.

AP College Football Player of the Year (2016)

The Associated Press also recognized Jackson as the College Football Player of the Year in 2016. This award, voted on by AP sportswriters, placed him ahead of stars like Deshaun Watson and Saquon Barkley. He became the first Louisville player to win the award and the first ACC quarterback to do so since Charlie Ward in 1993. Jackson also won the Walter Camp Player of the Year award in 2016, becoming the first Louisville Cardinal to receive that honor.

Unanimous All-American (2016, 2017)

Jackson’s excellence earned him Unanimous All-America status in both 2016 and 2017. Only a handful of players in college football history have achieved back‑to‑back unanimous selections. The prestigious recognition placed him on every major All-America list, including the AFCA, AP, FWAA, Sporting News, and Walter Camp selections. No other player in ACC history has matched his back‑to‑back consensus.

Maxwell Award and Davey O’Brien Award (2016)

The Maxwell Football Club honored Jackson as the nation’s most outstanding player in 2016 with the Maxwell Award. He also won the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award the same year, cementing his status as the premier signal‑caller in college football. Additionally, Jackson was a finalist for the Walter Camp Award and finished ninth in Heisman voting in 2017 despite a slight statistical dip.

Professional Career Honors

Drafted 32nd overall by the Baltimore Ravens in the 2018 NFL Draft, Jackson initially served as the backup to Joe Flacco. He took over as starter midway through his rookie season and has not looked back, accumulating a trophy case that rivals some of the greatest quarterbacks in league history.

NFL Most Valuable Player (2019)

Jackson’s 2019 season was one of the most dominant quarterback campaigns ever. He became the second unanimous MVP in NFL history, joining Tom Brady (2010). He led the league with 36 passing touchdowns and a 113.3 passer rating while rushing for 1,206 yards—the most by any quarterback in a single season. His Ravens went 14‑2, and he became the first player in NFL history to throw for over 3,000 yards and rush for over 1,000 in the same year. The MVP award was a culmination of his revolutionary style, earning him every first‑place vote from the AP voters. He also set an NFL record for most rushing yards by a quarterback in a season, breaking Michael Vick’s previous mark of 1,039.

Jackson’s 2019 season included spectacular performances: a five‑touchdown game against the Dolphins (5 passing), a 101‑yard rushing game against the Bengals on a wet field, and a 222‑yard passing, 101‑yard rushing outing against the Rams on Monday Night Football. He also became the first quarterback in NFL history to rush for at least 1,000 yards and pass for at least 3,000 yards in the same season.

Pro Bowl Selections (2019, 2020, 2021, 2023)

Jackson has been voted to the Pro Bowl four times (2019, 2020, 2021, 2023). His selections reflect his consistent elite production. In 2019 and 2020, he was the top vote‑getter among all players, a testament to his popularity and impact. The 2023 Pro Bowl nod came after he guided the Ravens to the AFC’s best record (13‑4) and a deep playoff run. He did not participate in the Pro Bowl games in 2019 or 2020 due to playoff commitments, but he was still honored as a starter.

AP All-Pro Team (2019, 2023)

In 2019, Jackson was named First‑Team All‑Pro, an honor reserved for the single best player at each position. He repeated that feat in 2023, when he threw for 3,678 yards and 24 touchdowns with only 7 interceptions and a league‑leading 67.2% completion percentage. His 2023 All‑Pro selection came alongside a second MVP award. Jackson also earned Second‑Team All‑Pro honors in 2020 despite missing a game due to injury.

NFL MVP (2023)

Jackson claimed his second NFL MVP award in 2023, winning unanimously for the second time—the only player in league history to do so. He led the Ravens to a 13‑4 record while accounting for 29 total touchdowns (24 passing, 5 rushing). He also became the first quarterback in league history to rush for over 5,000 career yards in his first six seasons. The unanimous MVP distinction underscored his total command of the offense and his unmatched athleticism at the position. Jackson received all 50 first‑place votes from the AP panel, joining Tom Brady as the only other multi‑time unanimous MVP.

NFL Offensive Player of the Year (2019)

In addition to the MVP, Jackson won the AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year award in 2019. He also earned the FedEx Air Player of the Year and was named to the PFWA All‑NFL Team. In 2019, he led the league in passer rating (113.3), yards per attempt (8.2), and touchdown percentage (9.0%), and he was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Month three times that season.

Division Titles and Playoff Success

Jackson has led Baltimore to four AFC North division titles (2018, 2019, 2020, 2023). In 2023, he guided the Ravens to the AFC Championship Game for the first time in his career. Although they fell short of the Super Bowl, his playoff performance in the 2023 wild‑card round—a 34‑10 win over the Steelers with two touchdown passes and a 75% completion rate—showed his growth as a postseason quarterback. He also set a Ravens playoff record for rushing yards by a quarterback in that game with 81 yards on the ground.

Jackson’s playoff résumé includes two divisional‑round wins and a 2‑4 record in postseason starts, but his 2023 campaign marked his deepest run. Critics often point to his playoff struggles, but his 2023 wild‑card victory and a 2019 wild‑card loss to the Titans (where he had 365 total yards and a 104.3 rating) show that he has been a net positive in the playoffs despite team‑level disappointments.

Additional Honors and Recognitions

Beyond the major awards, Jackson’s trophy shelf includes a range of honors from media outlets, sports commissions, and charitable organizations.

Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year (2019)

In December 2019, Sports Illustrated named Jackson its Sportsperson of the Year, citing his on‑field brilliance and his impact in transforming the quarterback position. The magazine’s cover story called him “the most electrifying player in football.” He was also featured on multiple national magazine covers, including ESPN The Magazine and Time.

Louisville Sports Commission’s Male Athlete of the Year

Jackson has been recognized multiple times by the Louisville Sports Commission as Male Athlete of the Year, honoring his contributions to the city’s sports legacy. He also received the Key to the City of Baltimore in 2020, a rare civic honor reserved for individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the community.

NFL Player of the Week/Month Honors

Jackson has been named AFC Offensive Player of the Week eight times, most recently in 2023. He has also won AFC Offensive Player of the Month three times (September 2019, November 2019, September 2023). His 2019 season included a stretch of six consecutive games with a passer rating over 100, a franchise record. Additionally, he was named the FedEx Ground Player of the Week multiple times for his rushing performances.

Madden NFL Cover Athlete

In 2020, Jackson was featured on the cover of Madden NFL 21, joining an elite list of players like Barry Sanders, Peyton Manning, and Patrick Mahomes. The cover athlete selection is itself an honor that reflects a player’s popularity and cultural impact. Jackson appeared alongside a virtual render of his signature celebration—the “touchdown shuffle.”

ESPY Awards

Jackson won the ESPY for Best Male Athlete in 2020, beating out LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, and others. He also took home Best NFL Player at the 2020 ESPYs, underscoring his dominance in the NFL landscape.

Community and Philanthropic Honors

Off the field, Jackson has been recognized for his community work. He received the Ravens’ Walter Payton Man of the Year nomination in 2021 and was named to the NFL’s All-Community Team for his efforts in youth education and anti‑violence initiatives. In 2022, he launched the Lamar Jackson Foundation, which awards scholarships to underprivileged students in his hometown of Pompano Beach, Florida. The foundation has also partnered with local Boys & Girls Clubs to provide school supplies and technology.

Jackson has also been honored by People magazine in their “Heroes Among Us” feature and received the Chiefs for Change leadership award for his work in criminal justice reform advocacy alongside other NFL players.

Records and Milestones

Awards alone do not tell the full story. Jackson has set numerous NFL and team records that further validate his elite status:

  • Most rushing yards by a quarterback in a single season (1,206 in 2019) – broke Michael Vick’s previous record of 1,039.
  • Most career rushing yards by a quarterback in his first six seasons (5,258) – surpassed Cam Newton’s mark.
  • Only quarterback in NFL history with multiple 1,000‑yard rushing seasons (2019, 2020).
  • Fastest player to reach 5,000 career passing yards and 2,500 career rushing yards (33 games).
  • Holds Ravens franchise records for single‑season passing touchdowns (36 in 2019), career rushing touchdowns by a quarterback (29), and highest career passer rating (98.0 as of 2023).
  • First quarterback to earn multiple unanimous MVP awards (2019, 2023).
  • Most career rushing yards per game by a quarterback (minimum 80 games) – 60.1 yards per game through 2023.

These records underscore his unique dual‑threat ability and his sustained excellence over half a decade. Jackson also holds the record for the most games with a 100‑yard passer rating and 50‑yard rushing effort.

Legacy and Impact on the Quarterback Position

Lamar Jackson’s awards and honors have done more than fill a résumé—they have changed how the NFL evaluates and deploys quarterbacks. Before Jackson, the league had seen running quarterbacks like Michael Vick and Colin Kaepernick, but none had won a unanimous MVP or sustained such a high level of production. Jackson proved that a quarterback who relies on his legs as much as his arm can not only win but dominate. His success has opened doors for more mobile quarterbacks like Jalen Hurts, Justin Fields, and Josh Allen (who has a similar rushing style).

The significance of his two unanimous MVP awards cannot be overstated. No other player in NFL history has earned unanimous MVP honors multiple times. Jackson’s consistency in adapting his game—improving his accuracy and decision‑making as he matured—has silenced critics who doubted his longevity. His ability to read defenses and operate as a pure passer in 2023, while still carrying the ball when necessary, earned him his second MVP and silenced questions about his contract. In 2023, he signed a five‑year, $260 million deal that made him one of the highest‑paid players in the league, a financial honor that reflects his market value.

Jackson also redefined the quarterback scoring metric: his 2019 season produced a passer rating of 113.3 and a QBR of 78.8, both elite marks. His 2023 campaign saw him post the second‑highest completion percentage of his career (67.2%) while throwing only seven interceptions. Pro Football Reference ranks him as the most efficient rushing quarterback in NFL history based on career rushing yards and touchdowns.

Conclusion

From a Heisman‑winning sophomore at Louisville to a two‑time unanimous NFL MVP with the Baltimore Ravens, Lamar Jackson’s career arc is a story of sustained excellence and constant evolution. His awards and honors—spanning the Heisman Trophy, two NFL MVP awards, multiple Pro Bowls, All‑Pro selections, and countless weekly and monthly recognitions—place him in an elite class of athletes who have redefined their positions. As he continues to add to his legacy, Jackson remains an inspiration to young quarterbacks who dream of playing the game on their own terms. His journey is not just a list of trophies; it is a blueprint for how a player can blend unprecedented athleticism with dedication, humility, and an unyielding will to win.