California star all over the map - literally
When every school in the nation wants you, it’s hard to make up your mind. The dilemma facing Ruben Jackson of Stockton (Calif.) Edison is not about which school to attend. He is nowhere near that decision yet. He’s still trying to nail down some kind of list, even if it’s a top 25 list.
At the time of the interview, Jackson had eight schools listed. They were Arizona State, California, Miami, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio State, Oklahoma and Nevada.
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“You can add Colorado, Oregon, Oregon State and Marshall,” Jackson said. “They’ve all offered me, too.”
All of those schools are recruiting Jackson as a wide receiver. He is also an accomplished punt returner and defensive back.
“I had about 10 interceptions this year,” he said. “Some schools are recruiting me there too. My cousin says I had about eight touchdowns on punt returns and about 600 yards. Most schools are recruiting me as a punt returner, as well.”
Jackson, who is 5-foot-10 and 170 pounds, seems to relish in his recruitment. Just when you think you have his list written down, he throws more schools at you.
“I was supposed to be at the UCLA and USC game last weekend, but I didn’t make it,” Jackson said. “I went to the big rivalry game, Stanford-California, instead.
“You can put USC and UCLA on my list as well. UCLA is recruiting me as a running back. They were at the game when I started at tailback, and took one from our goal line for a ninety-plus-yard touchdown.
“Oh, and Portland State and San Diego State.”
It would seem that we have reached the tip of the iceberg. Jackson is wide open, he will listen to anybody that makes his phone ring. However, amongst all the schools two schools stick out to him. They aren’t the two you would expect.
“Marshall and Nevada stick out,” Jackson said. “It’s just the attention. They are giving me the most attention right now. I have a visit to Marshall scheduled for January 11.
“I don’t really care which school I go to, I just know I want to get on the field and do my thing. I want to play as a true freshman.”
What about his talented friend Lynell Hamilton? Do Jackson and Hamilton want to attend the same school?
“It would be good, but I have to make the best decision for where I can do my thing. (Lynell) and I have been talking about going to the same school,” he said.
“If we don’t actually go on our visits together, I’m going to try to schedule he same visits that he does, since the same schools are recruiting us for the most part.”
Jackson’s attitude about choosing visits seems to be a little different. He seems to be daring the coaches to convince him to visit.
“If they offer me a spot, and they talk a good game, then I’m going to check it out, and see if it matches what they say,” Jackson said.
His preferences include all teams that play football. Is location a concern?
“Nah, I’m looking hard at Marshall, and that’s in West Virginia.”
Is the weather a factor in the decision? Jackson had something to say about the sunny beaches of Miami.
“It’s just Miami man,” he said. “It’s right on the beach. That would be great.”
Just like always, when you think you know what Jackson likes, he pulls a complete 180. Another school on his extensive list is Michigan, with its frigid November weather.
Certainly, that would hurt the Wolverines, right?
“Funny thing about (cold weather),” he said. “When I was younger, I always wanted to play in the snow.”
Jackson’s recruitment should prove to be an interesting, if not mystifying race. Trying to grapple with his choices is like trying to tackle him on the field. You think you have him wrapped up, and the next thing you know, you’ve got mud on your face, wondering where he went.
Unpredictable as it may be, it should be fun to watch.