Jackson appears to be next in line of NFL-bound Rams pass catchers
Warren Jackson hustled through an outdoor workout last week with a handful of Colorado State teammates in Fort Collins when the Rams’ latest NFL-bound wide receiver took a break to video chat with reporters.
“We’ll get back to it right after this,” said Jackson, still glistening with sweat.
Jackson broke onto college football’s national radar as a junior last season with 77 catches for 1,119 yards in only 10 games. He also touts a top-wideout bravado that not even a global pandemic can dampen.
“I want to win a Mountain West championship with this team,” Jackson said. “We have everybody in line for us to do it.”
Strong talk for a program searching for relevancy. CSU
has not won a conference crown in almost two decades (2002) and has averaged only six wins per season since legendary head man Sonny Lubick retired in 2007. Now, first-year coach Steve Addazio gets his shot at returning prominence to the green-and-gold.
Jackson’s confidence to fasttrack team success stems from a budding tradition of CSU talent at his position, where four Rams wide receivers placed on NFL rosters since 2016.
Michael Gallup, in his second season for the Cowboys, eclipsed 1,000 yards receiving. Olabisi Johnson (Vikings) and Preston Williams (Dolphins) were rookies last year who combined for 63 catches, 722 yards and six touchdowns. Rashard Higgins has seven NFL TDs over four seasons with the Browns.
The CSU wide receiver brotherhood is real.
“I talked to Mike (Gallup) last week, about how his route running has improved over time,” Jackson said. “He just encouraged me to continue to work hard right now.”
Progress is made difficult, though, with CSU starting quarterback Patrick O’Brien stuck at home in San Juan Capistrano, Calif., south of Los Angeles, during stay-at-home orders. Both Rams downplayed any lagging chemistry concerns resulting from the break.
“Me and (Jackson) as a combo could really make a splash this season,” O’Brien said. “We understand how each other works. He knows what I want him to do and he expects me to throw the ball in certain spots. I think there is a good connection between the both of us.”
Jackson said he talks with O’Brien several times a week, adding, “I don’t want to make it all about football. I want to check in on him and make sure he’s doing fine, and all his loved ones are well, too.”
Jackson said his personal goal this season is to outperform last year’s statistics and play an entire season healthy after injuries sidelined him for portions of the last two years. Jackson’s blend of size (6-foot-6, 215 pounds), athleticism and production is sure to have NFL scouts on notice this fall.
Jackson’s mindset is that nothing has changed, despite the pandemic. The Colorado Buffaloes will be waiting Sept. 5 at Canvas Stadium.
“I’m supposed to be a leader,” Jackson said, “and I’m supposed to take people with me along the way.”