Leon Jackson talks about his move from Nebraska to Hawaii
- Thread starter SwiftFan87
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Foppa
All-American
Husker_Power
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Courtesy: NU Media Relations
Release: 07/05/2006
2005 Nebraska Offensive Scout Team MVP
2006 Outlook
Leon Jackson came to Nebraska as one of the nation’s top two-way prospects, starring as both a running back and defensive back in high school. Jackson has continued to show that versatility since arriving on campus, spending time at three positions. The 6-1, 210-pound speedster practiced at I-back this spring and is among a talented group of players who will push for playing time at the position this fall.
One of 13 true freshmen to see action in 2005, Jackson began at running back. However, he quickly switched to free safety where he spent the majority of the year, while also serving on NU’s kickoff coverage unit. Jackson also doubled as a receiver on Nebraska’s scout team unit, earning scout team MVP honors, and spent pre-bowl practice primarily at receiver.
2005 (Freshman)
Jackson did not play in the season’s first two games, but saw action in nine of the final 10 games. A member of the kickoff coverage team that ranked among the nation’s best, Jackson made his only tackle on the opening kickoff against Texas Tech. He also provided depth at free safety behind senior starter Blake Tiedtke.
Before Nebraska (Pasco HS)
Jackson was one of the top prospects in the Pacific Northwest at Pasco High School. Jackson starred at both running back and defensive back for Coach Steve Graff, helping the team to a state semifinal appearance in 2004. Jackson racked up huge numbers as a senior, rushing for 1,745 yards and 23 touchdowns on 127 carries. He also caught five passes for 144 yards and a touchdown. He capped his senior season with 189 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries in the state semifinal loss.
Jackson’s performance as a senior earned him first-team all-state honors from both the Seattle Times and the Associated Press. Jackson had similar numbers as a junior, rushing for 1,806 yards and 32 touchdowns on 212 carries, with another two scores among his nine receptions. Jackson’s efforts as a junior helped Pasco High to the Class 4A state title, and he earned second-team all-state and Big 9 Co-Offensive Player-of-the-Year honors in the process. In his career, Jackson racked up 4,929 yards and averaged a remarkable 10.7 yards per carry.
Jackson was a USA Today Preseason Super 25 player and was one of seven Husker recruits who played in the U.S. Army All-American game. He also starred in the Pasco secondary and was ranked as the nation’s No. 2 safety prospect by recruiting expert Tom Lemming.
Jackson’s blazing speed led to honors on the track, as he captured the state title in the 100 meters as both a freshman and sophomore, including a 10.74 clocking as a sophomore. He had nine total letters, earning four in football, three in basketball and two in track. Jackson only made an official visit to Nebraska, but chose the Huskers after also receiving offers from Oregon, Oregon State, Washington, Washington State and California.
Personal
Jackson is the son of Leon Jackson Sr., and Deborah Wright and was born on June 1, 1986. He has not yet declared a major. Jackson has volunteered his time with the Read to Succeed Book Drive.
SwiftFan87
Five-Star Recruit
i also find this part of the article hard to believe.
HuskerInKC16
Four-Star Recruit
So he was dating his wife since he was 11 before marrying her at 21? WOW, that's impressive.
Redman
All-Conference
HuskersNow
Five-Star Recruit
"To be honest with you I didn't even know who Coach (Bill) Callahan was at first."
He did eventually realise that Callahan was the coach During the recruiting process.
AR Husker Fan
Team HuskerBoard
Moving to More Sports - Former Skers.
Blackshirt316
Starter
The thing about this article other than the fact that it portrays Jackson as a superstar that wasn't ever given a chance instead of a kid who just wasn't as good as those in front of him and didn't want to work as hard to improve is that there's a reason NU is one of the top programs in the country and why Hawaii is not... it seems they have a very laid back attitude and don't expect their players to play physical football, that isn't exactly the way you win championships.
NU fan in Denver
Starter
Just think, If he would have stuck around, worked hard, and improved, he probably would have received his chance last year and this year with all the injuries we have at rb. But many of the high profile recruits come in thinking they can star their first year and that just doesn't happen.