LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Former Louisville star and current Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has been named one of the five finalists for the 2023 Associated Press Most Valuable Player, the NFL announced Thursday.

Running back Christian McCaffrey and quarterback Brock Purdy of the San Francisco 49ers, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen and Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott were also named finalists to win this season’s MVP. The winner will be announced on Feb. 8 as part of the 13th annual ceremony.

The 6-foot-2, 215-pound signal caller put together a phenomenal 2023 campaign, and is the clear frontrunner to take home the 2023 MVP. His 67.2 completion percentage and 3,678 passing yards were both career-highs, and he threw 24 touchdown passes to just seven interceptions. On the ground, he ran for 821 yards and five touchdowns.

The Pompano Beach, Fla. native helped guide the Ravens to a 13-4 record during the regular season, clinching the No. 1 seed in the AFC and a first round bye for the NFL Playoffs in the process. Against the Texans in the Divisional Round, Jackson completed 16 of his 22 pass attempts for 152 yards and two touchdowns, while also rushes 11 times for 100 yards and two more scores.

Jackson’s performance helped Baltimore clinch a 34-10 win over Houston, which sent them to their first AFC Championship appearance since 2012. They will host the Kansas City Chiefs at M&T Bank Stadium on Sunday, Jan. 28 at 3:00 p.m. EST on CBS for the right to represent the AFC in Super Bowl LVIII..

Since being drafted by Baltimore with the final first round pick of the 2018 NFL Draft, Jackson has been one of the most electric players in the NFL. He has led the Ravens to a 58-19 record as a starter, including winning the 2019 NFL MVP. In 86 total games, he has amassed 21,145 total yards of offense and 154 touchdowns.

Jackson is without a doubt the top player in Louisville football history. He set numerous records during his three year tenure with the Cardinals, finishing his collegiate career with 9,043 yards passing, 4,132 yards rushing and 119 total touchdowns. He became the school’s first ever Heisman Trophy winner after accumulating 5,114 total yards and 51 total touchdowns in 2016.