NEXT LEVEL WITH JADON JACKSON
BY BRADLEY LINAM
Former Bentonville West wide receiver Jadon Jackson is now at Kansas State after signing with Ole Miss out of high school. Jadon is looking to make an impact on the field this fall and recently talked to us about his career, plus his experience in the transfer portal.
Q&A
The Varsity Report:
What is your greatest memory of playing high school football at Bentonville West?
Jackson:
One of my greatest memories while playing for Bentonville West was after every win the students would go out to eat at Raising Cane’s to celebrate the win.
The Varsity Report:
You signed with Ole Miss out of high school. What were the key factors in making that decision?
Jackson:
After leaving West, I enrolled at Ole Miss under (former Head Coach) Matt Luke and Wide Receivers Coach Jacob Peeler. My top factors were that I was close enough to home but still far enough to be out on my own. My other reason was because of the relationship I had with the coaching staff, especially Coach Peeler!
The Varsity Report:
How did Coach (Bryan) Pratt and the staff at Bentonville West help prepare you to play football in the Southeastern Conference?
Jackson:
Playing under Coach Pratt helped me prepare not only for football but life. He taught us that doing the little things matter, whether that’s cleaning up after someone in the locker room or simply taking one step more on a route. Doing the little things is what makes the bigger things seem easier. Another thing he consistently told us was “You either get better or you get worse, you never stay the same. So what did you do to get better?” To me that goes back to the little things. You stay 1% each day and by the end of the month you’re 30% better. Keep that going for two more months and BOOM that’s 90% percent better than your previous self and that will stick with me for as long as I live.
The Varsity Report:
You are now playing at Kansas State. Please tell us about your experience in the transfer portal and why you chose to play for Kansas State in the Big 12?
Jackson:
The transfer portal isn’t a joke man. It’s crazy in the portal. Yes, you have schools coming at you, trying to get you to come to their school, but it’s not that simple. I feel like it’s the same as a high school recruiting process, if you only started getting offers your senior year. It goes FAST! It’s also not like everyone thinks. If you don’t have the film to go to a Power 5 school or just know coaches willing to take a chance on you, it gets hard. You never know who is taking your position until the (schools) contact you. You kind of just sit there in hopes that a bigger school comes to pick you up. I decided to come to K-State because of the relationship I had with our (Kansas State) Wide Receiver Coach Thad Ward. He gave me the same feeling I have when I talk to Coach Pratt or Coach Peeler. I feel like I can go to these guys with anything. It’s a good feeling to know you have a coach you can lean on for anything and not just football.
The Varsity Report:
After spending a few years at Ole Miss, what factors made it the right time and right decision to transfer?
Jackson:
Being at Ole Miss, I got to learn under an extremely talented wide receiver, Elijah Moore. He taught me things about football on the next level and how to attack everyday. After he entered the NFL draft, I felt as though my time was coming. Unfortunately, things didn’t go as expected, which happens from time to time. Following this past season, I felt as though it was in my best interest to move on and start off somewhere new.
The Varsity Report:
What do you consider to be your biggest strengths on the football field?
Jackson:
I feel like one of my biggest strengths is the deep ball and my ability to locate it.
The Varsity Report:
What are the areas you would like to improve upon entering into the season as a player?
Jackson:
This season I’ve focused a lot on route running and winning at the line on releases.
The Varsity Report:
What advice do you have for high school football players in Northwest Arkansas trying to play at the collegiate level in the future?
Jackson:
My advice to young players is to keep your head in the books, school or playbook, and to keep getting better everyday. There is no such thing as an “off day.” ALWAYS do something to make yourself better, no matter how big or small.
The Varsity Report:
When you’re not playing or training for football, what are some things you enjoy doing in your spare time?
Jackson:
I’m a gamer at heart. I love to play Call of Duty, Fortnite, etc… Outside of gaming, I usually go out with my dog and play around with him. I plan to take more time giving back to the community and getting around younger children as sort of an older brother to talk to no matter if that’s just to talk about sports or just anything. I think the best way to connect with kids is to have someone relatively close to their age talk to them.
The Varsity Report:
As far as your personal skills, overall athletic ability, what will allow you to be a key contributor to the K-State offense?
Jackson:
My goal is to come in and try to be an immediate impact player and try to take the pressure off a lot of the other players. We work as one and it’s only fair if I come in and pull my share of the load.
The Varsity Report:
Who is your favorite pro football wide receiver that you try to emulate and why?
Jackson:
My favorite wide receivers are DeAndre Hopkins (Arizona Cardinals) and Davante Adams (Las Vegas Raiders). Both are known for their ability to get open in space and make plays. I admire the release pack of Adams and the aggression to win on deep routes by Hopkins.
The Varsity Report:
Who are mentors in your life that have helped you most along your path?
Jackson:
I would say I have a few people in mind. I never told them this but I see them as my personal home-base. My own village so to speak. My mother, grandma, aunts, uncles, god mom, and Coach Pratt. All of them are my Superheroes. I’m blessed to have my own super team!