Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Ex-Owl Jackson optimistic about Kiffin
VERO BEACH — Former Florida Atlantic running back Martese Jackson has found a new home in the Canadian Football League with the Montreal Alouettes.
Jackson, back in Florida for Montreal’s spring camp at Historic Dodgertown, arrived in the CFL last year. First, he signed with Winnipeg before latching on with Montreal’s practice roster.
“It’s a great experience,” Jackson said. “It’s a great game, competitive. It’s kind of different as far as rules. It’s still football, so it’s fun. Players around are good players. It’s a great experience so far.”
The Asheville, N.C., native and Fort Scott Community College transfer has not played in a CFL game. He first got noticed at a tryout in his native North Carolina, after months spent training himself and others on the side to make money.
“If I wasn’t training myself, I was training somebody else,” Jackson said.
Jackson played for FAU from 2012 to 2014, and appeared in 21 games. He rushed for 283 yards on 71 carries and scored once. In his first game as an Owl, Jackson totaled 99 yards on 21 carries in a win over Wagner.
Jackson’s tenure spanned three regimes at FAU. He was recruited by Carl Pelini, guided by interim coach Brian Wright before Charlie Partridge took over for his final season. Lane Kiffin replaced Partridge following the 2016 season.
“[Partridge] was a good coach,” Jackson said. “I wish I could have had a little bit more time with him, but he was a good coach for the most part.”
Jackson is undersized. The Alouettes list him at 5 feet 5 and 171 pounds. FAU listed him at 5-6 and 185 pounds.
His carries also dipped from 48 in 2012 to nine in 2013 and 14 in 2014.
“You know that’s one of the knocks,” Jackson said of his size. “And then I didn’t have that much productivity at FAU. I didn’t play that much. I didn’t have that much film.”
Jackson is also hopeful Kiffin can improve on FAU’s three straight 3-9 seasons.
“I think [Kiffin] he can take the program to the next level,” Jackson said. “I think he can. I think he can get the big-time recruits that he needs. I think he can take it to the next level.”