Rebels Jackson’s hitting on all fields

Two years ago, Princeton Jackson didn't think he would be talking about his love for football.

He was a left-handed, power-hitting first baseman and outfielder who dreamed more of hitting baseballs out of the park than knocking quarterbacks off their feet.

The Washington Nationals even considered giving Jackson a $40,000 signing bonus two years ago. But then pitching phenom Stephen Strasburg agreed to a $15 million contract, "and that really killed my signing bonus," Jackson said.

So Jackson headed to Blinn College in Brenham, Texas, where a quarterback named Cam Newton had just transferred from Florida. Blinn won the national championship behind the future Heisman Trophy winner, and Jackson played in every game.

"I never had a passion for the game until after the national championship," Jackson said. "To see how hungry they were, that's what drives me to like, 'OK, I can play this game. I really need to get serious about it.' And that's what I did last year."

Jackson (6 feet, 230 pounds) became a junior college All-American last season at Blinn. He was rated as a four-star prospect by Scout.com and the nation's No. 27 junior college recruit by Rivals.com.

Much is expected -- and needed -- from the Rebels' top-rated recruit. All three starting linebackers from last season are gone.

"On defense, it's all hands on deck," Rebels coach Bobby Hauck said. "We've got to play some defense around here, and we think Princeton's a capable guy."

Jackson, who signed with Iowa State in 2009 out of a Houston high school before opting for Blinn, is competing with senior Nate Carter at the inside spot.

Linebackers coach Robin Ross could see signs in Tuesday's first day of training camp of why Jackson was so highly touted.

"You notice his athleticism, his explosion," Ross said. "He's got a great burst, and that's something you can't coach."

Jackson was raised in a military family by a father, Richard, who fought with the Army in Operation Desert Storm in 1991. His father hates the sound of fireworks and doesn't like to talk about his war experiences, but he passed down the military code of discipline and respect to his son.

When he was being recruited by UNLV, Jackson -- who said "sir" numerous times while being interviewed by the media Tuesday -- saw some of his father in Hauck.

"That's why I chose Bobby Hauck," Jackson said. "He's serious about what he's trying to do in rebuilding and trying to make this a successful program.

"One thing about Bobby Hauck, he gave me eye contact. That's one thing I look at in recruiting. If a coach looks in your eyes, you can tell if he's serious or not. He was genuine."

Jackson also gets a healthy amount of toughness from Paigen Gilford, a basketball player at East Texas Baptist. He has known his best friend since sixth grade, and has marveled at how Gilford hasn't let two anterior cruciate ligament surgeries on each knee deflate her.

Jackson wears her No. 30 on a necklace as a reminder to keep going no matter the obstacles.

UNLV knows plenty about obstacles with its football program, but Jackson -- who might eventually return to his first love and also play baseball for the Rebels -- is here to help change that.

"Football's my main concern right now," Jackson said. "I really want to see this team be a successful team and prove the critics wrong."

Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914. Follow him on Twitter: @markanderson65.