Poly flyer stands out in two sports

One of the best wide receiver prospects from the Golden State this season is undoubtedly DeSean Jackson (5-11, 170, 4.38) from Long Beach (Calif.) Poly. Jackson is also a top-flight baseball player who has major league scouts looking at him.

Jackson is a gritty wide receiver who first gained the reputation as a tough guy during his sophomore year. Jackson was seeing time as the third wide receiver when he injured his ankle against Rialto. He gutted it out and played the following week against Concord (Calif.) De La Salle but had to bow out due to pain.

Jackson was hungry for his junior season to start and had a sensational junior season that saw him selected pre-season Rivals.com All-American, first-team all-state underclass, first-team Long Beach Telegram Dream Team and first-team all-CIF after hauling in 43 passes for 850 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Baseball will also be in the cards for Jackson as he is one of the best two-sport stars in the state. He plays center field for the Jackrabbits and he has drawn the attention of major league scouts.

Jackson could very easily get drafted for his skills on the diamond in the spring of 2005.

“The last time I checked I was hitting .350,” Jackson said. “I have since gone on a little hot streak so I’m sure my average is even higher.”

Jackson is your stereotypical contact hitter who is an excellent leadoff man. He’s an outstanding leadoff hitter who has already stolen 16 bases.

When you talk about speed you’re talking about Jackson. He is the fastest player in his league for both football and baseball.

On the gridiron Jackson can be counted on to make the tough catch even though he knows some defender is about to try to knock him into next week.

Toughness isn’t Jackson’s only calling card. He runs tight, crisp routes and makes things happen after the catch.

Oregon has a possible trump card in the recruitment of Jackson. Jackson’s uncle’s wife is the cousin of Oregon assistant coach Don Pellum. Did you get that?

Jackson isn’t resting on his laurels he is working on his skills by attending the NIKE Camp held at Stanford and by participating in one-day skills camp at USC.

Jackson has a 230-pound bench and has recorded a 34-inch vertical jump.

Jackson is scheduled to be at UCLA’s junior day this weekend and he already attended a junior day at USC.

“It was good at USC, I had a lot of fun,” Jackson said. “USC treated me like I was a member of the organization.”

Besides USC and UCLA, Jackson is getting a lot of love from schools from coast-to-coast. He has offers from Nebraska, Arizona, and Cal. Oregon, Texas and Florida State round out Jackson’s early top eight schools.

What does Jackson want in a school?

“My first priority will be to get a good education,” Jackson said. “Then priority 1A would be for me to be able to play both football and basketball.”

“Third would be the coaching staff and the school’s tradition.”

For a look at Jackson in action click on the link.