NamelessHusker
Banned
Omaha World Herald
[SIZE=14pt]Recovery for I-back is a leap in faith[/SIZE]
If ever there were an opportunity to be negative, Brandon Jackson was staring straight at it.
The Nebraska I-back had dislocated a shoulder in spring practice and was headed for April 8 surgery. It happened on the heels of the Huskers' recruitment of three other backs, including two heralded prep stars.
"Thinking too much about things like that can get you down and hurt you bad," Jackson said. "So I was always staying positive and just praying that I healed fast."
A few months later, Jackson is rehabilitated and ready to go. Good thing, because when practice starts Thursday, the sophomore will be fighting for his football livelihood.
Cory Ross returns as the Huskers' leading rusher, a senior with a solid hold on the No. 1 job. Then freshmen Marlon Lucky, Leon Jackson and Cody Glenn join the team with designs on making an immediate impact.
Still, Brandon Jackson said, "I don't look at it like I've been forgotten."
"I feel pretty good about last season," he said. "I think I can do better. That's why this year I want to show that I can get the job done."
Jackson played as a true freshman in 2004, running for 390 yards and a 4.6 average per carry. The 5-foot-11, 205-pounder from Horn Lake, Miss., had two-touchdown games against Baylor, Kansas State and Iowa State.
With Tierre Green moving from I-back to cornerback, Jackson was a firm No. 2 on the depth chart for spring practice.
Then he collided with a lineman, felt a pop in his shoulder and his right arm went numb. Eventually, so did his mind.
"My first reaction was, 'OK, this is nothing,'" he said. "I didn't know anything bad happened to it. But when I got to the doctor's office and we had the MRI, that's when I started thinking about surgery and sitting out for a while.
"It's kind of tough to deal with, because then comes the part where you're having to get back into shape and everything. But I'm there now."
The shoulder can be a little sore at times, but that's not uncommon after major joint reconstruction. Actually, Jackson said, doctors have told him the shoulder might even be better than before.
That leaves Jackson ready for the fight. The freshmen are going to want to play. Ross isn't going to want to come off the field.
"Just being at a Division I college like this, everything is going to be a challenge," Jackson said. "I don't mind challenges."
On that topic, Randy Jordan has one of his own. The Huskers' running backs coach knows what Ross and Jackson can do but now must sort through the newcomers and decide how to best utilize the whole lot.
"Coach Jordan has a real tough job ahead of him," Jackson said. "But he does a good job of distributing the ball to his backs. He'll figure it out."
[SIZE=14pt]Recovery for I-back is a leap in faith[/SIZE]
If ever there were an opportunity to be negative, Brandon Jackson was staring straight at it.
The Nebraska I-back had dislocated a shoulder in spring practice and was headed for April 8 surgery. It happened on the heels of the Huskers' recruitment of three other backs, including two heralded prep stars.
"Thinking too much about things like that can get you down and hurt you bad," Jackson said. "So I was always staying positive and just praying that I healed fast."
A few months later, Jackson is rehabilitated and ready to go. Good thing, because when practice starts Thursday, the sophomore will be fighting for his football livelihood.
Cory Ross returns as the Huskers' leading rusher, a senior with a solid hold on the No. 1 job. Then freshmen Marlon Lucky, Leon Jackson and Cody Glenn join the team with designs on making an immediate impact.
Still, Brandon Jackson said, "I don't look at it like I've been forgotten."
"I feel pretty good about last season," he said. "I think I can do better. That's why this year I want to show that I can get the job done."
Jackson played as a true freshman in 2004, running for 390 yards and a 4.6 average per carry. The 5-foot-11, 205-pounder from Horn Lake, Miss., had two-touchdown games against Baylor, Kansas State and Iowa State.
With Tierre Green moving from I-back to cornerback, Jackson was a firm No. 2 on the depth chart for spring practice.
Then he collided with a lineman, felt a pop in his shoulder and his right arm went numb. Eventually, so did his mind.
"My first reaction was, 'OK, this is nothing,'" he said. "I didn't know anything bad happened to it. But when I got to the doctor's office and we had the MRI, that's when I started thinking about surgery and sitting out for a while.
"It's kind of tough to deal with, because then comes the part where you're having to get back into shape and everything. But I'm there now."
The shoulder can be a little sore at times, but that's not uncommon after major joint reconstruction. Actually, Jackson said, doctors have told him the shoulder might even be better than before.
That leaves Jackson ready for the fight. The freshmen are going to want to play. Ross isn't going to want to come off the field.
"Just being at a Division I college like this, everything is going to be a challenge," Jackson said. "I don't mind challenges."
On that topic, Randy Jordan has one of his own. The Huskers' running backs coach knows what Ross and Jackson can do but now must sort through the newcomers and decide how to best utilize the whole lot.
"Coach Jordan has a real tough job ahead of him," Jackson said. "But he does a good job of distributing the ball to his backs. He'll figure it out."
