 "Photo: Jacqueline Walker")
Being from Connecticut, I have a vague idea of how Texans view the little state that comprises a portion of New England. Most know it's cold and that it's somewhere north, filled with "Yankees," but one thing every single Texan does know is that those Yankees don't play football like they do in Texas. And they're completely right. Try telling that to Rob Jackson, though.
Born in New Haven, Conn., Jackson was named the No. 16 prospect in New England after an outstanding senior year at West Haven High School, where he totaled 72 tackles and 12 sacks. Even though West Haven is no Southlake Carroll, they put out a very good football team year in and year out, winning the state championship plenty and even being ranked fifth in the nation once. Granted, that was 1968, but very good nonetheless. But hardly any of the players in Connecticut go on to play in the NFL or even Division 1-A football, except for Steve Young and a handful of others.
That's why Jackson had to work his way up to get to Division 1-A football, starting out at Fort Scott Community College, where he was one of the top defensive ends in the Jayhawk conference. He was a two-time All-Jayhawk Conference selection and totaled 45 tackles (34 solo) in nine games as a freshman, leading the conference in sacks with 9. He has a great frame at 6-foot-4 and 259 pounds, and possesses a great initial burst. That's why he was recruited for his junior year by Kansas State.
What resulted was a match made in heaven, with a guy on the other side of the line who complemented him perfectly. Ian Campbell is one of the premier pass rushers in college football today, and plays with a determination that keeps most quarterbacks scrambling for daylight when he passes a lineman. Together, they accounted for 16 sacks and numerous headaches for whoever had to try and block them. Regardless, Jackson is only looking for improvement.
"Personally, I came on a little bit too late last season," Jackson said. "Maybe not too late, but I know I've got to go out and get after it. I don't have time to waste with it being my senior year and all."
Very true. And this season they look to be even more of a threat, since Jackson has learned plenty after his first year in the Big 12. When asked what makes a good pass rusher in the Big 12, one could see why he's going to be even better this year.
"[It's about] being relentless. If I didn't beat my guy on that first move, keep working and try a counter move. Coming from junior college I was used to making just one move and the ball would be out. But now, you've got better corners and safeties. They can cover better, and you never know what can happen. You've got to keep going after [the quarterback]."
And going after the quarterback is something Jackson and Campbell do best. And for a guy who comes from the land of the Red Sox and clam chowder, relentless is something he had to be his entire football career.
Understand that seeing him succeed is something that brings a huge sense of pride to all us Connecticut citizens. Beyond him, the best football we have is played in the Yale Bowl, and even though watching Yale beat on other Ivy League schools is always entertaining for us Elm City natives, it is hardly Big 12 football. And that's why this one player at Kansas State makes this writer's heart swell: Jackson took his game to a place that few of us in New England see. He's a great player in the Big 12, and that is so much more than many of us expect from Connecticut football.
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