Special Teams Ace R.J. Jackson Has Emerged as a Top Receiver
“Adjust, adapt and overcome.”
It’s a motto that LSU senior wide receiver R.J. Jackson‘s father has engrained in him since childhood, but it wasn’t until he was a college football player that the phrase began to make sense.
“It’s something my dad used to tell me to remind me that I was built to make it through any situation in life or on the field,” Jackson said. “I’ve been through many things on and off the field, and that fuels me to keep pushing.
“I still live by that quote.”
Coming out of Westside High School in Houston, Jackson was rated the No. 10 tailback in the nation by ESPN with offers from TCU, Florida, Texas and LSU. Even with a crowded backfield already in place, Jackson chose LSU.
“I love the culture here,” Jackson said. “The people here are great. Some other places I visited the people there just seemed arrogant. Also, it was far enough to say I’m away from home, but close enough to get back if I needed to and close for my parents.
LSU At the Game programs are available on campus three hours prior to game time and online while supplies last.
“And the SEC is one of the top conferences, if not the top conference. So what would be better than competing against the best players in the nation week in and week out?”
In the spring of 2005, Jackson was making strides in the running back rotation before he suffered a season-ending ACL injury on the last play of the last workout of spring practice. While his knee was physically torn, his spirit remained intact.
“Maybe that was God’s way of letting me know it wasn’t my time yet,” Jackson said. “One thing I learned about myself was that I was tough, and I had the drive to give it my all.”
After redshirting in 2005, Jackson returned to the running back corps, this time with Jacob Hester and incoming freshmen Charles Scott, Keiland Williams and Richard Murphy. With even more competition in the backfield and Jackson coming off injury, it was decided that he would make the move to wide receiver. However, with Dwayne Bowe, Craig Davis, Early Doucet and Brandon LaFell already solid receivers, Jackson once again found himself on the outside looking in.
He had to “adjust.”
As fate would have it, an opportunity arose on special teams for an athlete with some experience on defense. Since Jackson spent some time in high school as a defensive back and return specialist, the opening became a perfect fit.
“I did play on special teams in high school, and I knew that would be my first shot to get on the field so I took advantage of it, gave it my all and had fun with the limited role I had,” Jackson said.
For his consistent performance on special teams coverage units, Jackson was awarded LSU’s Wild Tiger Special Teams Award following the 2008 season.
He had “adapted.”
While he was happy with his accomplishments, Jackson still felt that he had more to contribute to the team.
“Being awarded the Wild Tiger helped with my confidence, and showed me that my role wasn’t going unnoticed,” Jackson said. “But, being an offensive player it was frustrating at times not being able to showcase what I could do. I knew I had to show the coaches that I had something to offer the team outside of special teams.”
With the departure of Demetrius Byrd, a position opened on the receiver’s depth chart. Lead candidates for the No.3 receiver slot were Jackson and fellow senior Chris Mitchell, along with incoming freshman Rueben Randle.
Coming into 2009, Jackson had game experience at receiver, seeing action in 28 contests. However, his only career reception was for -1 yards against Georgia Tech in the 2008 Chick-Fil-A Bowl. Jackson didn’t allow his lack of stats to deter his confidence, or discourage his work ethic. He realized he could make an impact at the position with more than just receptions.
“There’s so much more to being a receiver than just catching the ball,” Jackson said. “You have to block and be dominant on the perimeter. Long runs don’t happen without some receiver blocking downfield. Being a former running back, it’s in my blood to bang. I think I have brought a little of that to the receiving corps.”
On September 12 of this season, all of Jackson’s hard work and struggle paid off, and the fifth-year senior receiver was finally vindicated with a six-reception, 55-yard performance against Vanderbilt.
After four years of battling injuries, switching positions, becoming a special teams specialist and finally getting his shot, R.J. Jackson proved he had “overcome.”
Though you won’t find his name next to any LSU records, Jackson made his impact on this program in another way. Through his hard work, perseverance and unselfish acceptance of his role on the team, Jackson has embodied what he wants to be remembered for.
“I want to be remembered as the Tiger that took care of his business, who never got in trouble and who never quit despite the setbacks,” Jackson said. “I owe it all to God for giving me the strength to do so. The biggest thing for me is that every time I do something on the field I have teammates come up to me and say that I give them hope and I’m an inspiration. That means the most to me.”