Choctaw's Jackson taking odd path to Big 12
CHOCTAW — Choosing what school to play football for can often be challenging for high school players, particularly during a time in which they can't visit campuses.
That wasn't the case for Chase Jackson.
The Choctaw wide receiver started picking up offers after a successful first season with the Yellowjackets, but one stood out among them: TCU. The Horned Frogs offered Jackson on April 10, and within
a month he announced his commitment to coach Gary Patterson.
Even with the challenges of having not visited the campus in person, it was an easy choice.
“It was a little challenging because I didn't get to go anywhere I'd like to see,” Jackson said. “But TCU has been a school I've wanted to be at my whole life. The moment (Choctaw coach Jake) Corbin called and said I had Power 5 news coming my way, I was praying it would be TCU… I love the purple.”
Jackson is No. 17 on The Oklahoman's Super 30 list for the state's top class of 2021 prospects and is the state's top- ranked wide receiver, according to the 247Sports composite. However, his
journey to the Big 12 is unconventional.
After beginning his high school career as a quarterback with Harrah, Jackson transferred to Choctaw ahead of his junior season. It proved to be a good transition for him and the team, as he finished with 56 catches for 1,342 yards and 15 touchdowns on the season.
“My coaches did a great job moving me and transitioning me to wide receiver,” Jackson said. “It was new to me, but they
really helped me transition and adapt. I embraced the grind they handed over to me.”
It didn't take long for Jackson to flash his potential at wide receiver. In the season opener against Shawnee, Jackson scored two touchdowns, including a 41-yard catch and run on a curl route.
“That was the first time we got to see him live against an actual opponent,” Corbin said. “And I just thought, `Man, this kid's special.' He has that
`it' factor, competitiveness and is just an extremely tough kid.”
While Jackson credited Corbin and the rest of the coaching staff for making his transition easy, Corbin said it was his work ethic that led to his success.
“He came in and bought in from the jump," Corbin said. "He bought into the program, bought into the coaching staff, bought into our philosophy. He wanted to get better and wanted to get coached up at the position.”