Pitt's Jackson bids for starting cornerback job
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Pitt senior cornerback Buddy Jackson has been one of the best players in spring practice every season since he joined the Panthers.
But when the season started, all the potential Jackson showed seemingly disappeared as he would find his way into the coaches' doghouse, have to deal with nagging injuries or, at least early in his career, struggle with maturity issues.
Until last year, that is.
Then, in his fourth year at Pitt, Jackson, likely the most physically gifted player the Panthers have, not to mention the fastest, stopped being a spring hero and fall zero.
Instead, he ended up not only on the depth chart, but also on the field. Eventually, he resembled the player coaches hoped he would be when they recruited him.
"All that is behind me," Jackson said. "I just am going to take advantage of this opportunity, I am a fifth-year senior, this is my last year, my last go around, I'm just going to be coachable and get better every day and try and compete. I just want to be coachable."
Now Jackson is hoping to capitalize on that finish and the fresh start he gets from a new coaching staff. He is off to a fast start.
Jackson has done so well that he not only has a chance to be one of the starters at cornerback, but he also has a chance to fulfill his dream of being a full-time kick-returner.
"I did it my junior and senior year of high school," Jackson said of returning kicks. "And then I took a few back for touchdowns, so teams started to sky kick it. So to get back and get an opportunity to do it, I'm really looking forward to it this fall.
"I just need to make sure I catch the ball and get up the field, see that gap and go into it. I am just going to use my speed and do what I have to in order to get that shot in the game. Once I get that ball, I'm see the end zone, I want to get there as fast as possible."
Jackson, timed in the 40-yard dash in just under 4.4 seconds, also has a 42-inch vertical leap. While working his way into the kick-return rotation, he has excited coaches with his speed and attitude.
Pitt coach Todd Graham said he was excited by Jackson's approach to the kick-return role as well as his speed and talent.
First Published April 1, 2011 12:00 am
