DRAKE LINDSEY, JACOB JENKINS, CJ BROWN & LANE JEFFCOAT AMONGST A HOST OF OFFENSIVE STARS SHINING BRIGHT IN NWA
By Don Lowe | Photos by Mark Strickland Photos
High school football in Northwest Arkansas and across this state is producing more prolific numbers on offense with so many teams turning to a potent run-pass-option fast-paced style that leaves defenses scrambling to figure out if the ‘next play’ will be on the ground or through the air.
There’s no shortage of terrifically talented skill players at quarterback, running back and wide receiver throughout Benton and Washington counties who are terrorizing defensive players on Friday nights, not to mention all the outstanding offensive linemen in this area making it easier on their playmakers, while keeping defenders away.
One of the top signal callers in this corner of the state is Fayetteville Bulldogs senior Drake Lindsey (6-5, 220 pounds), who amassed more than 3,600 yards passing a year ago with 37 touchdowns through the air.
As far as running backs, Rogers Mountaineers senior Jacob Jenkins (6-2, 205 pounds) is back for his final season after piling up more than 1,500 yards of rushing real estate last fall with 17 TDs, while catching 24 passes for more than 300 yards and another three scores.
When it comes to wide receivers, Bentonville Tigers senior CJ Brown (6-0, 185 pounds) is among the best of the best pass catchers and he excelled in 2022, while finishing with nearly 1,300 yards and 75 catches and 16 touchdowns.
In the trenches, there’s simply none better than Bentonville West Wolverines senior offensive tackle Lane Jeffcoat (6-9, 300 pounds), as he helps make things so much easier for all his teammates at the key playmaking positions.
While Lindsey, Jenkins, Brown and Jeffcoat are far from the only gridiron greats expected to produce highlight-reel performances regularly in 2023, they are worthy of being in the spotlight.
These four young men each have a clear understanding of the athletic abilities that have helped pave the way for them to be successful.
“I have a great arm and a good feel for the defense and how to move in the pocket,” says Lindsey. At running back, Jenkins asserts, “I have good footwork, a big frame (size) behind my pads and the ability to accelerate late. My experience on defense has also helped me be more well-rounded on offense.”
When it comes to catching passes, Brown attests, “I work hard at my craft. I’m fast and I can jump. I have good ball skills.” As far as Jeffcoat sees it, he suggests his strength in blocking comes from “Understanding the game mentally and my natural athleticism.”
Regardless of their individual God-given talents, these premiere pigskin performers know there are challenges to playing their positions in a way that stands out and Lindsey says at quarterback the charge is “Keeping everyone in check and making sure everyone knows what to do. Also, just making sure you know everything you have on a certain play.”
In the offensive backfield, Jenkins rationalizes the demands require “Having good vision of the field and being able to read the defense, as well as being dynamic and adaptable.” Brown analyzes that when something goes wrong, what’s important is “Being able to overcome mistakes mid-game and move on.”
Considering the difficulties an interior offensive lineman faces, Jeffcoat relates that it’s vital to “Be mentally and physically prepared for your body taking big hits on every play.”
It’s taken a lot of hard work for these stars to get where they are today and Lindsey says, “Head Coach Casey Dick and Offensive Coordinator Jay Wilkinson have helped me tremendously.”
Jenkins says his development is a result of having “Worked on being powerful and explosive, while running and being able to carry over other physical attributes as a defensive player, like being able to take a hit and give a hit.”
The progress Brown believes he’s made is from “Perfecting my route running and focusing on the little details to better myself.” Jeffcoat feels as though he’s raised his play by “Getting more flexible and working on technique repetitively.”
While there’s no questioning what these players do individually, each of them recognizes it takes a collective team effort and Lindsey affirms, “Without all those guys (running backs, wide receivers, and offensive linemen) you can’t do anything. That’s why I love this sport. You must rely on one another every single play.”
As Jenkins ponders the pluses of top-notch play at quarterback, receiver and along the offensive interior to compliment his running, he explains “It’s important because the diversity of options we have on who gets the ball helps spread out the defensive schemes. And being able to move the ball in various ways helps build momentum in the running game.”
Brown emphasizes, “Everything works together for an offense. I couldn’t get the ball if my line couldn’t hold up or my quarterback couldn’t get it there. All passes stem off a run, which ends up opening up pass plays. A lot of people don’t understand how complex an offense is, even though it sounds simple.”
It’s a simple concept as far as Jeffcoat is concerned in maintaining that “Having confidence in these teammates makes it easier for me to perform, knowing they are there.”
Knowing that Lindsey, Jenkins, Brown and Jeffcoat are there for their respective offenses is sure going to make it more difficult on opposing defenses every Friday night over the course of this entire season.
Fayetteville Bulldogs Star QB Drake Lindsey
Age: 17
Grade in School: 12th
Parents: John & Amy Lindsey
Siblings: Reed Adams & Loren Lindsey, a sophomore in college
Favorite Subject in School: History
Favorite Food: Steak
Favorite Football Movie: The Longest Yard
Favorite Pro Football Player: Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow
Rogers Mountaineers Star RB Jacob Jenkins
Age: 17
Grade in School: 12th
Parents: Father, David Jenkins & Mother, Lisa Lightner
Siblings: Lillian Jenkins (15 years old), a sophomore in high school
Favorite Subject in School: Math
Favorite Food: Seafood
Favorite Football Movie: Remember the Titans
Favorite Pro Football Player: Former Seattle Seahawks running back “Beast Mode” Marshawn Lynch
Bentonville Tigers Star WR CJ Brown
Age: 17
Grade in School: 12th
Parents: Carson & April Brown
Siblings: Olivia Brown (21 years old), a senior in college; Jada Brown (19 Years old), a sophomore in college; and Kiah Brown (15 Years old), a freshman in high school
Favorite Subject in School: Math
Favorite Food: Lobster
Favorite Football Movie: Remember the Titans
Favorite Pro Football Player: Former Cincinnati Bengals WR Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson
Bentonville West Wolverines OT Lane Jeffcoat
Age: 17
Grade in School: 12th
Parents: Mike & Lora Jeffcoat
Siblings: Maddox Sawin (19 years old), a sophomore in college
Favorite Subject in School: Math
Favorite Food: Chicken Alfredo
Favorite Football Movie: The Waterboy
Favorite Pro Football Player: San Francisco 49ers and Washington Commanders offensive tackle Trent Williams