As everybody came to find out in 2019, Jackson was something special. He was first-team All-Mountain West with 77 catches for 1,119 yards and eight scores in 10 games. He ranked among the nation’s leaders in catches and yards per game. He was dynamic with 12 catches against Toledo. He was sensational versus New Mexico, with 214 yards and an 87-yard touchdown reception.
If the world was normal, Colorado State fans would be anticipating more. One more season of Jackson. He’s still tall (6-foot-6), but far from lanky, now surpassing 220 pounds on his frame. His routes are better, his actions cleaner. He was an escape route on every play, intended target or not.
But the world isn’t normal. Last Monday, the Mountain West announced it was postponing the football season and all fall sports for the 2020 season. Maybe, if possible, the season will be played in the spring. For somebody in Jackson’s situation – looking at an NFL future – that became problematic.
He talked to family. He spoke with friends. He drew opinions from the coaches who have helped mold him. In the end, it was pretty much unanimous – he should turn his attention toward the NFL Draft, one which promises to be deep in receiving riches. There are just too many unknowns to try to account for down the road. Coronavirus. Injury. Timing.
“It was a no-brainer for me at this point, especially with what’s’ going on now,” Jackson said. “It’s risky to play now. It was tough because I wanted to stay with my teammates, but all of the deciding factors pointed right at why I should leave.”
He said he’ll miss his teammates most of all, especially the crew he’s been living with for a while. He will not be too far away, however, as he has decided to workout with Landow Performance in Denver to prepare for the draft, and he has signed on with Athletes First to represent him. Jackson also intends to pursue his degree the remainder of this year via online classes.
Jackson had two catches that afternoon on the big stage, and they only accounted for 7 yards. But both of them were acrobatic touchdown grabs, going high above Tide defenders and reaching out to make sensational catches. How good? Randy Moss Tweeted out about the second one.
Nice job kid.
What it told everybody immediately was Jackson was athletic. He had a nose for the ball. His length gave him catch radius, and he could use his body to either create separation or use it so close quarters didn’t matter. CSU just had to give it time.
Jackson would show a little more the following year, again playing a sidekick roll to Preston Williams, who, like Gallup, would go off at the end of the season to the NFL. The highlight was Jackson’s first 100-yard game, coming on the road at Boise State – 105 yards on nine catches and a pair of scores. To that point, Jackson had three games where he scored touchdowns, and in each instance he had two.
No one can dispute Jackson used his time out of the spotlight wisely. He took mental notes of what Gallup and Williams were doing all the time. In meetings. During practice. Before games and in the offseason.
He would compare his mistakes with theirs, and he would use theirs as valuable information.
“There was just so much. If I look at myself my sophomore year and now, I’d say I’ve grown in a lot of different ways, and not just on the football field,” Jackson said. “They taught me so many things I never thought about, and they showed me those little things really matter. Even when they messed up, I still learned from their mistakes. Having two years of learning from their mistakes and them also giving me free advice, it helped me out so much. I’ve grown tremendously, and they are two of the reasons why.”
Last year was Jackson’s time to take the lead role, and even this year, with the change in coaching staff and offensive system, that wasn’t supposed to change. New offensive coordinator Joey Lynch made it clear: Despite the Rams’ desire to be a power running team, one does not forget the talents possessed by Jackson.
Everybody expected it to be more of the same, and Jackson was tabbed as the preseason Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year. As much as the new regime wanted to call plays with Jackson as a focal point, they understand Jackson had to do what was best for him, especially when factoring in all of the unknowns.
“I definitely understand,” said CSU receivers coach Kenny Guiton. “I think it’s definitely in his best interest to do what he’s doing. If you and the people around you know what’s best for you, go pursue it. I couldn’t wait to work with him, and to tell you the truth, it goes beyond the player he is. He’s more than just a great player, a great guy and he’s a guy that brings in energy and he goes out and executes, and it was fun to watch.”
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August 18, 2020 at 12:03AM
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