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Baylor Football Recruiting
Vernon Jackson's size, versatility can benefit Baylor
Vernon Jackson is one of those athletes who will make modern-day football fans scratch their heads -- and older football purists remember the good ol' days.
At 6-foot-3 and 240 pounds, Jackson is built like the classic weak-side defensive end, someone who can put his hand in the dirt and line up against offensive tackles, but also can drop back in coverage for passing downs. He can play a variety of positions, including defensive end and both inside and outside linebacker. He also has lined up at safety for his high school, Class 3A Boling.
But there’s that fact that some may not know about the versatile standout. Jackson is his team’s starting quarterback – and he's a pretty good one. As a dual-threat option, Jackson rushed for nearly 2,100 yards and 33 touchdowns as a junior. He also threw for nearly 900 yards and six touchdowns, but most of the damage he did, offensively, was with his feet.
"I don’t know what I want to do yet, honestly," said Jackson, referring to where he wants to play in college. "I like offense, but I don’t really know."
Versatility. There’s a reason why Baylor wants him, and there’s a reason why the Bears were excited to make Jackson's top five on Saturday. Baylor will be in a recruiting battle with TCU, Texas A&M, Oklahoma and Alabama.
Jackson said he's been in contact with Baylor defensive line coach Elijah Robinson, and the idea of setting the field as a rush end is intriguing to the Boling star. Jackson received the Baylor offer a few days after taking in their junior day, and he said it wasn't hard to immediately become a fan of what head coach Matt Rhule and his staff are doing.
"I've been to a lot of colleges, but I really liked what I saw there," he said. "I like the coaches and the campus. Coach Robinson was just honest with me and said all the right things.
"I really like how everyone is so close. The campus is nice, and everybody is kind of like a family."
Jackson was the MVP of District 14-3A this past season, and he led Boling to a trip to the Class 3A Division II state championship game in December, where Boling lost to Gunter at Cowboys Stadium.
The idea of Jackson playing so many different positions makes him one to watch. At 240 pounds, he has deceptive speed and an impressive second gear that would serve beneficial if Baylor chose to use him on offense.
Defensively, Jackson's quickness, acceleration and length screams for him to play on the end. He has a mean streak about him, as well.
Jackson said he doesn't have a timetable set for a decision, but he will weigh his options meticulously in an effort to make the right decision for him athletically, academically and socially.
As far as deciding where he wants to play in college, Jackson said he'll let the coaches handle that responsibility.
"I feel like I can play wherever," he said.
Damon Sayles is a feature columnist for SicEm365. Follow Damon via Twitter: @DamonSayles
At 6-foot-3 and 240 pounds, Jackson is built like the classic weak-side defensive end, someone who can put his hand in the dirt and line up against offensive tackles, but also can drop back in coverage for passing downs. He can play a variety of positions, including defensive end and both inside and outside linebacker. He also has lined up at safety for his high school, Class 3A Boling.
Insider Notes: More on Jackson
But there’s that fact that some may not know about the versatile standout. Jackson is his team’s starting quarterback – and he's a pretty good one. As a dual-threat option, Jackson rushed for nearly 2,100 yards and 33 touchdowns as a junior. He also threw for nearly 900 yards and six touchdowns, but most of the damage he did, offensively, was with his feet.
"I don’t know what I want to do yet, honestly," said Jackson, referring to where he wants to play in college. "I like offense, but I don’t really know."
Versatility. There’s a reason why Baylor wants him, and there’s a reason why the Bears were excited to make Jackson's top five on Saturday. Baylor will be in a recruiting battle with TCU, Texas A&M, Oklahoma and Alabama.
Jackson said he's been in contact with Baylor defensive line coach Elijah Robinson, and the idea of setting the field as a rush end is intriguing to the Boling star. Jackson received the Baylor offer a few days after taking in their junior day, and he said it wasn't hard to immediately become a fan of what head coach Matt Rhule and his staff are doing.
"I've been to a lot of colleges, but I really liked what I saw there," he said. "I like the coaches and the campus. Coach Robinson was just honest with me and said all the right things.
"I really like how everyone is so close. The campus is nice, and everybody is kind of like a family."
Jackson was the MVP of District 14-3A this past season, and he led Boling to a trip to the Class 3A Division II state championship game in December, where Boling lost to Gunter at Cowboys Stadium.
The idea of Jackson playing so many different positions makes him one to watch. At 240 pounds, he has deceptive speed and an impressive second gear that would serve beneficial if Baylor chose to use him on offense.
Defensively, Jackson's quickness, acceleration and length screams for him to play on the end. He has a mean streak about him, as well.
Jackson said he doesn't have a timetable set for a decision, but he will weigh his options meticulously in an effort to make the right decision for him athletically, academically and socially.
As far as deciding where he wants to play in college, Jackson said he'll let the coaches handle that responsibility.
"I feel like I can play wherever," he said.
Damon Sayles is a feature columnist for SicEm365. Follow Damon via Twitter: @DamonSayles
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