PREP PREVIEW: Jackson ready for second season as Trojans' signal caller

St. James quarterback KJ Jackson should show improvement in his second season as the starting quarterback. (Tim Gayle)

By TIM GAYLE

Being the starting quarterback at the varsity level is a lot for a freshman to comprehend.

KJ Jackson calls the 2020 season as the quarterback at St. James a learning experience.

“I feel like I’m more vocal,” he said. “Last year, I felt like I had to prove myself to everyone. This year, everybody kind of knows where I’m coming from. They know they can talk to me about anything, ask me any type of questions. I feel like I know what everybody is supposed to do.

“But they’ve all made it easy for me. Everybody has done everything they’re supposed to do. They make it easy. My job is really the same job, I just feel more comfortable.”

Jackson was pressed into a starting role last year and the COVID complications only made matters worse. What he could have learned in a spring was canceled by coronavirus. What he could have accomplished on the field in summer seven-on-sevens was also canceled. 

As head coach Jimmy Perry considered the inexperience of his team, he decided that he could utilize the athletic talents of his freshman, but needed to hold back from putting too much of the offensive burden on a first-year varsity player.

“I definitely understood my role and that Coach had my best interests in mind,” Jackson said. “All the plays, he had my best interest and he trusted me with what he trusted me with. I appreciate him for that.”

This year, with COVID restrictions eased, Jackson could take on more of a leadership role as he learned more of the offensive scheme.

“It’s fun to watch him mature and learn the game – understanding defenses, understanding coverages,” Perry said. “A lot of players just do what you tell them to do and they do it without knowing why you’re doing what you’re doing. He’s understanding the why behind the game.”

As he’s learned the offense, he’s developed into more of a leader for the Trojans, on and off the field. 

“I think he’s going to be a lot better,” senior Clayton Craft said. “I think he’s matured. He’s really been working hard this summer. He’s been all football, no breaks, going to all these camps and working really hard. I think he’s going to be 10 times better than he was last year. I think everybody is going to be surprised.”

Jackson is a multi-purpose athlete who excels in baseball and basketball as well, but as more and more college recruiters are lined up to make offers, the realization of Jackson’s immense talent on the gridiron is taking control of his spare time.

“It’s not technically a favorite, but I knew this year if I wanted to go where I wanted to be, I had to pick one (sport) and really double down and focus this summer,” he said. “This summer, I did focus on football the most. I went places I had never been before and really enjoyed it.”

He has offers from Penn State, Ole Miss and Alabama State, with other schools poised to offer as recruiting resumed some normalcy in June. 

“It’s a great feeling,” Jackson said. “I don’t know if my teammates think that makes me more of a leader, but I think everybody knows – without the offers – what my role is. I know the time and place for the college stuff. I wasn’t going to skip any summer practices for anything. I knew I’d come out here (to practice) because we want to win and we want to go far.”

His expanded role this summer and fall has not gone unnoticed by his teammates.

“KJ has definitely grown up,” senior receiver Bradley Thomas said. “He’s more mature this year, more confident, more of a leader this year. I feel like everyone is going to get way more touches, all of our receivers. We’re going to have a great mix between the run and the pass.”

It isn’t like Jackson didn’t throw the ball last season -- accounting for 1,323 passing yards (seventh in the school’s single-season record book) and 17 touchdowns (fourth) -- so Perry isn’t predicting more passing in the Trojans’ offensive attack, but he is promising more of an expanded role from his quarterback.

“We’re going to run the ball with him some,” Perry said. “A lot of teams don’t account for the quarterback run and they’re a gap short, so he’s got to be able to do that for us.”

Jackson, who has also been working out at defensive end for the Trojans, is pleased with the expanded offensive role. 

“We’re putting people in places and making people do things that are uncomfortable,” he said. “We’re trying new stuff every day. I think that’s the best thing we can do, find the best thing that works for us.”