Running wild
The junior college running back who committed to FAU this weekend possesses speed, power, and some eye-popping statistics.
Originally published on
1/23/2012
by
Chuck King
The battle to replace Alfred Morris in FAU's backfield grew a little more intriguing over the weekend.
Along with Travis Jones, Damian Fortner, Xavier Stinson and Cary White, all of whom carried the ball last season for the Owls, FAU will now have a junior college transfer in the mix.
Over the weekend FAU dipped back into wide receivers coach/recruiting coordinator Jeff Sims background to nab a commitment from a player he once coached at Fort Scott Community College.
Martese Jackson redshirted during Sims final season at Fort Scott, but he broke through this season, rushing for 1,100 yards in eight games. Jackson visited FAU this weekend and committed to play for the Owls in 2012.
“I feel like that's a nice fit for me,” Jackson said. “I feel like can do great things there.”
Jackson hasn't spent much time on the football field, but when he's played he's been productive.
During his senior year at Asheville North Carolina's Erwin High School – his lone year of high school football – Jackson surpassed the 2,000 yard mark while scoring 33 touchdowns.
Jackson used his redshirt season at Fort Scott to get his academics in order, then returned to the field and led the Jayhawk Conference in rushing in 2011, exceeding the 200 yard-mark twice in eight games.
At 5-foot-7 and 185 pounds, Jackson's running style blends power and speed. Fort Scott running backs coach Keith Jordan said Jackson possesses 4.4 speed and might have been the strongest player on the team.
“When he decides to drop the hammer on somebody he's got such a low center of gravity that he can just bring it,” Horton said.
Jackson has also been bringing it in the classroom. He arrived at Fort Scott without a high school diploma. Less than two years later, Jackson needs only six credits to earn his Associate's degree. Jackson is actually taking 12 credits this semester to get a head start on his FAU degree.
“I guess I was just young and wasn't focused on the grades,” Jackson said. “Now, I know if I am going to have success in my life I'm going to need an education.”
That first year spent getting his academics in order at Fort Scott may work to FAU's advantage.
When Jackson arrives in the summer, he will still have three years of eligibility remaining.
Jackson wasn't the only player from Fort Scott to visit FAU this past weekend. His teammate and roommate, linebacker Marceice Jackson, also took a visit but chose not to commit.