Leon Jackson

T

tflynn

Walk-on
I'm wondering how long Leon Jackson can play offense in the fall before it will hinder him from being able to play defense. usually learning is most significant in the fall and if he spends most of those days at RB, I'm wondering if their will be to much to make up if he does switch to DB to see significant playing time. I really think somebody with his athletisism needs to be on the field, however i feel DB would allow him to see the field faster. Is DB easy enough to learn that if he does change to defense after the season, will he have enough time to learn schemes etc. to play.

 
I wonder if the coaches are truly serious about giving him an honest look just to appease him. He is so needed on defense.

 
I wonder if the coaches are truly serious about giving him an honest look just to appease him.  He is so needed on defense.
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:yeah I couldnt agree more......

Is this "honest look" kind of like the "interviews" that Pelini and Gill had for the head coaching job in 2003??? :WTH

 
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But how long can the coaches let him try running back, before he loses to much ground in the secondary? I wish he would just start on defense right from the beginning of fall practice cuz i think he could see significant playing time right away if he did that, however the longer he stays at running back, the less reps he gets on defense which decreases his playin time? do u think the coaches have a time frame they would like to see if he can make it or not and then move him, and if so what time frame would u say.

 
We desperately need him at DB. Let him run a couple of dives with the third team offense against the Blackshirts, tell him he won't cut it at RB, and get him on defense! :)

 
I wonder if the coaches are truly serious about giving him an honest look just to appease him.  He is so needed on defense.
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:yeah I couldnt agree more......

Is this "honest look" kind of like the "interviews" that Pelini and Gill had for the head coaching job in 2003??? :WTH
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Why wouldn't he get a chance to show what he can do? I'm sure they want to keep kids off the field that could help win games. :wacko: He knows that there is a chance he will play DB instead, I'm sure he is fine with that. I don't think he would turn down playing time at DB so he could play RB.IMO

If I remember corrctly wasn't Mike Brown recruited as a RB out of high school?

 
I say give him the chance. You never know, he could turn out a step ahead of Lucky. I am not going to tell him he cant play RB until I have seen that RB is not the position where he could help us the most. If I remember right from Rivals, he was a top 100 recruit at RB?

 
I don't want to stir the pot anymore than it's already been stirred, but how about this cog in the wheel. I've heard, granted never seen it, that Jackson is more of a speciman and a better RB than Lucky. Now think back when you were 18 going for something, would you have given up on your dream to pursue something else even though you were better at it than someone else?

I remember an interview with Crouch when he was first recruited and asked about Newcombe. This could be the same kind of situation, and we all know how the Newcombe/Crouch situation ended. If Jackson comes into camp and thinks he's outperforming Lucky but Lucky gets the nod at RB, it'll be tough getting Jackson on the defensive side of the ball. He'll have about as much enthusiasm this season as TO (Terrell Owens not Tom Osbourne)!

 
Here is my assesment of the situation. Jackson has more big play potential than Lucky does. He is slightly faster and maybe a little bit more elusive, and he looks for the big play. The reason Lucky is rated much higher is that he is much tougher running through tackles and will get the hard yards. He is also a far superior receiver, enough so that he may get some time in the slot position. I would say that Jackson reminds me more of Shaun Alexander, where as Lucky is more like an Ahman Green type back. Because they are not so far apart as far as ability, Callahan wants to give Leon a chance to toughen up and maybe improve on his receiving skills, which could make him something really special. If he cant do that, or is not showing enough progress, than he will probably get moved to safety, which is one of the easier positions to learn of defense (at least free is), so I am not worried about him getting on the field at some point this year, allthough maybe not in the first couple of games. This is all just my opinion though.

 
Well if you have seen him play running back then you'd see why he wants to play it. the guy is complete freak out on that field.
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Your all making great comments and then Pillen says this

He has these long strides, especially on turf, he can fly, DB is such a weak spot for us.

 
Right now we have a bit of a log jam at RB. Even with Marque MCCray gone, we're pretty stacked. I think that there are some other issues with the RB situation that need to be considered here. Lucky is great on film. He's Hyped. He's on NCAA 2006. Jackson is also all of these things. But neither is proven! Hence, let the battle begin! These coaches have to see this guy and really make an assessment. Yes, we need him as a DB, but he needs a real look, because you never know.

I remember back in the day when we were real thin at quarterback and NEEDED this guy named Tony Veland to guide the ship because QB was thin. When all was said and done, however, all Veland did was play hella safety and blast QB's in McBride's psycho 4-3 blitz packages. My point is that in the current situation, as in the past, guys haven't always ended up doing what we were COUNTING ON them to do and be when they came in. In fairness, Veland's situation was slightly different with an injury and a guy named T FRAZ. However, if there is a spot on the field for this guy, I just hope that the coaches figure it out quickly and use his talents immediately. Which leads me to my final concern . . . .

I think that it's most important that we keep the Luckys and Jacksons of this class happy. Not in an NBA sort of way, but we need to make sure to get all of these guys a fair shake so that they stay here to realize their Husker destiny. I'd hate to see either one of those guys (or Cody Glenn) lose hope and transfer because we couldn't find them a place and the confidence rapidly enough.

 
WOW isnt this great. Now it isnt who is going to play the position but where do we put them. I am hoping LJ is coming to be a team player just like every other recruit from this years class. Granted there are chinks in the armor it seems like smaller chinks that in previous years. Grassy knoll conspiracy aside, until proven wrong I believe the staff is trying to do what is best for the team and a winning season. LJ should play where he is best for the team. ML should also. Say couldnt HB play middle LB???? just kiddin'.

Everyone has some good points keep it up

:horns2

GBR

 
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In the videos this kid looked absolutely nasty! Some of the sickest moves I have ever seen. But his height and build might be a little too slender to be a RB that plays a significant amount, but who knows. Perhaps they want to see if he is going to be better than Lucky and his pass catching skills so they can utilize him in that role. This kid looks every part of a playmaker and it will show up if he is on defense as well. I think he will be a solid player no matter where he ends up.

 
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