Jackson reflects upon All-American Bowl, the future
EL DORADO – El Dorado’s Bijhon Jackson is among the top football players in the country. And now, as just a high school senior, he has already competed on national television against a few of his other elite-level contemporaries.
That could be enough to inflate the ego of many persons.
However, that’s not the case for Jackson. Frankly, he has not lost perspective of what lies ahead.
Jackson recognizes the importance of working hard to continually finetune his craft after participating in the recent U.S. Army All-American Bowl. The 6-3, 295 pound defensive tackle said it was both a humbling and inspirational experience.
“It was all unbelievable. I really can’t even explain it. It didn’t feel real. The whole time I was there, it just didn’t feel real,” Jackson stated. “I’ve just been this country boy all this time and while I was standing on that field - it was hard for me to b e l i eve that there were millions of people watching me. It was a really cool experience.”
Did Jackson make sure that someone recorded the game for nostalgia sake?
“Oh yeah,” he emphatically replied.
In terms of lifelong memories, receiving a call from his future head coach at the University of Arkansas - Bret Bielema - only enhanced Jackson’s excitement following the game.
“He just told me that I looked real good,” Jackson stated. “And so did other coaches from the (Arkansas) staff.”
Jackson acknowledged that he too was content with his performance.
“I probably give myself a low ‘A’. I felt I gave maximum effort on every down. But there were sometimes I felt that I could’ve made a play that I didn’t make. I felt like I did pretty good,” he said. “But I felt my technique could’ve been better. I could’ve made a few more plays, but I made a couple of tackles. I’m satisfied with my overall performance.”
In regard to the long in-game breaks due to commercials or someone announcing their commitment to a particular college, Jackson admitted that it all provided a unique twist to the event.
“It was definitely different. Not only for the announcements but also the commercials. We had to hold the game for three to four minutes each time,” Jackson said. “But that’s how it will be next season in college. If I get to play a lot, that’s how it will be. It’s something that I’ll have to get used to.”
Speaking of players mak- ing their plans known during the game, Arkansas received a big-time commitment from a highlyrated offensive lineman in Brian Wallace. Jackson feels like he played a role in enticing Wallace - a native of St. Louis - to select Arkansas over programs such as Alabama and Iowa.
“We were real cool after the game. I had the chance to meet his father. He was telling people how impressed he was with the way I talked and how I played,” Jackson stated. “Me and Brian are pretty good friends right now. He can’t wait to get up to Arkansas ... just like me.”
Jackson is happy to be among the most celebrated players in the nation. But he now has his sights set on one final high school athletic feat before heading to Fayetteville.
“I’m going to keep working out. I’m definitely going to that state weightlifting meet where I can hopefully break the bench press record,” he said. “I’ve already set the power clean record. ... And I will break it again! After that, it’s back to football.”