Buffs WR Jackson Making Plays As Position Battle Intensifies
August 07, 2018 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — When Colorado's Jaylon Jackson gathered in a pass Tuesday and took it to the end zone in CU's first full-pads practice of fall camp, it was hard to tell who was more excited — Jackson, his teammates or his coaches.
Call it a tie, as he was mobbed by all after the play, which included several nifty moves from Jackson.
Jackson, a redshirt freshman who has battled injury after injury over the last three seasons, appears to finally be healthy and ready to roll. He has regained the speed that made him a highly regarded recruit, and he has made several outstanding catches and runs already in camp.
"I'm excited about Jaylon," CU co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach Darrin Chiaverini said. "He's healthy and making plays. We're seeing now what he's capable of doing."
Safe to say, Jackson is also excited about what he's been able to do since camp began. The ebullient, energetic Cedar Hill, Texas, product has been waiting for this opportunity for years — literally.
Jackson hasn't played in an actual game since 2015, his junior year at Cedar Hill — and that year, he played in just one contest after suffering a knee injury. The following year he missed the entire season after suffering an injury to the other knee.
But, despite the injuries, CU honored its scholarship offer. He arrived in the spring of 2017 as an early enrollee and continued to rehabilitate the injury, finally getting clearance to participate in fall camp — only to suffer an ankle injury early in camp.
That led to yet another fall and spring of rehabilitation, which included countless hours working with CU strength coach Drew Wilson and his staff.
Now — cross your fingers — he's once again healthy.
"It felt good — great," Jackson said with a big grin after Tuesday's workout. "It seems like it's been a long, long time. It felt good to go out there and make some plays with my brothers. We got to finally see my speed again. I was happy again."
Jackson has become a favorite of his teammates not just because of his outgoing personality, but also because of the work ethic required to come back from his injuries.
But after his big plays in Tuesday's practice, he immediately gave credit to his teammates.
"On the plays I made, (fellow wide receiver) K.D. (Nixon) was doing some wonderful things — he made some good blocks," Jackson said. "Everybody was just in a rhythm today."
Jackson's play hasn't gone unnoticed by head coach Mike MacIntyre.
"It's real nice to see Jaylon make plays," MacIntyre said. "It's really, really nice. (But) every time I (wince). I really do. But he doesn't. That's the key. He hasn't shied away a bit. I couldn't do that if I was him. I'm not that tough. He's making plays and doing really, really well."
While there's no way Jackson can forget his string of injuries, he does his best to push them out of his mind when he's on the field.
"I'm a lot more worried about beating my opponent," he said. "What move can I put on him to get open? That's what you think about."
Jackson is part of an ultra-talented — and ultra-deep — receiving group. It includes seniors Juwann Winfree, Kabion Ento and Jay MacIntyre, junior transfer Tony Brown, and talented sophomores Laviska Shenault Jr. and K.D. Nixon.
"I love it," Jackson said of the competition. "We have so many receivers with so much talent, every day is competitive. Everytime you go out there, you think about how you can beat the guy across from you. You have to do something better, do something to make yourself stand out. It makes for great practice and it's going to carry over to games."
PRACTICE REPORT: The Buffs hit the field Tuesday for the first time in camp in full pads. They spent about half the practice conducting drills, and the other half working in scrimmage-type situations, including some goal line work and specific clock situations, as well as their daily special teams work.
"Both sides made plays," head coach Mike MacIntyre said. "They got after it. Both sides made plays, which is what you want to see."
Along with Jackson's big plays on offense, the Buffs also saw a nice catch by tight end Darrion Jones from Steven Montez in goal-line work and a terrific catch and run down the sidelines to the end zone from Laviska Shenault Jr. … Producing some big runs in full-contact red zone work was running back Donovan Lee. Coming back after redshirting last season, Lee — a senior — has had a solid camp and could be a factor in what is already a very competitive position battle. … Meanwhile, quarterback Sam Noyer got some reps with the No. 1 offense, as did tight end Brady Russell and running back Beau Bisharat in red zone work. …
Defensively, CU coaches are rotating a variety of combinations on the defensive line and at linebacker. … Safety Evan Worthington had a nice break on ball on the sidelines to knock a pass down, and Worthington also recovered a fumble. … Cornerback Trey Udoffia had a pass knockdown on a deep ball. … Chris Miller and Delrick Abrams Jr. also continue to play well at corner. … Redshirt freshman defensive lineman Terrance Lang continues to get quality reps, and true freshman Israel Antwine is getting some time with the No. 2 unit and is wasting no time in making some plays. Jase Franke, Javier Edwards, Chris Mulumba and Mustafa Johnson are also getting regular snaps up front. … Coaches are also rotating outside linebackers depending upon the situation, with Jacob Callier, Nu'umoto Falo Jr. and Carson Wells all getting their turn, and Davion Taylor also filling the bill there from his Buff back position.
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
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