Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson has declared for the NFL draft after a record-setting college career that included the 2016 Heisman Trophy.
"My time in Louisville has produced some of the best memories of my life," Jackson wrote Friday morning on Twitter. "I have had the pleasure of being in the presence of some of the best professors, coaches, advisers, training staff, athletes and fans, in the nation. With their help, I have been able to grow not only as a quarterback, but as a teammate, student, and most of all, a man."
He's the first player in college football history to record at least 3,500 passing yards and 1,500 rushing yards in consecutive seasons, and he set Louisville records for total offense (13,175 yards), rushing yards (4,132), rushing touchdowns (50) and total touchdowns (119).
ESPN's Mel Kiper ranks Jackson, also a Heisman finalist in 2017 who finished third in the final voting, as the No. 7 draft-eligible quarterback for 2018.
"As I have said before, Lamar is the best player you're ever going to see," Louisville coach Bobby Petrino said. "His impact on our university and this community has been immeasurable. And while personal accomplishments have been massive, he has remained such a humble person and has been a terrific teammate who cares more about others and simply winning."
Jackson had 3,543 passing yards and 1,571 rushing yards in 2016, accounting for 51 total touchdowns as he became Louisville's first Heisman Trophy winner and the youngest person to win college football's top individual honor. He also won the Maxwell Award that season, and his rushing mark set an ACC record.
He put up similar numbers in 2017, breaking his own rushing record with 1,601 yards while adding 3,660 pass yards and 16 touchdowns. Jackson earned second-team AP All-America honors.
Jackson broke or shared 42 school and seven conference records, while becoming the only player in ACC history to be named both the player and offensive player of the year in consecutive seasons.
"Lamar is the ultimate competitor," Petrino said. "His ability to throw the ball, run the ball, there's been nobody like him and it'll be awhile before you see anyone like him again."
Jackson led Louisville to three bowl games, including a 31-27 loss to Mississippi State in the TaxSlayer Bowl last week, and his 119 total touchdowns tied former Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson for second most in ACC history.
"I would like to thank the University of Louisville, Coach Petrino and the coaching staff, my teammates and the fans," Jackson wrote on Twitter. "It has been nothing short of an honor to be a member of #CardsNation and to play for this university."
ESPN's Andrea Adelson contributed to this report.