Miami Tailback Talks Like a Champion
Aug. 16, 1999
By RICHARD ROSENBLATT
AP Football Writer
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – James Jackson sure talks a great game. This season, he’ll get plenty ofchances to back up his words.
With the departure of Edgerrin James, a two-time 1,000-yard rusher, Jacksonis set to take over as Miami’s top tailback on a team ready to rejoin the racefor the national championship.
“If we’re consistent and stay healthy, I think we can make a run for it,”Jackson said. “We’ve been working hard getting ready for the season and it’stime to start producing.”
The 5-foot-11, 210-pound Jackson produced the moment he set foot on campusin Coral Gables. In 1997, he broke Chuck Foreman’s freshman rushing record with595 yards, and last season he complemented James’ 1,416-yard, 17-touchdowneffort with 545 yards and five TDs.
“James has a lot of confidence in his ability, and in brief glimpses he hasdone things well,” coach Butch Davis said of Jackson. “But doing it 10-12times a game is a lot different than being in there for 65 plays in 11 or 12games.”
With the Hurricanes breaking in new quarterback Kenny Kelly, Jackson is thelikely choice to take most of the handoffs, at least early in the season.
Jackson may not be ranked with Wisconsin’s Ron Dayne, Texas Tech’s RickyWilliams or Arizona’s Trung Canidate as Heisman Trophy contenders, but he hassaid he can win the award. If talking counts, he’s already a leading candidate.
“What I’m known for is `takin’ it to the house,”‘ Jackson said. “Thetimes I got in the game last year, my offensive line was huffin’ and puffin’and they were like `James, take it to the house so we can take a breather.’ Mygoal will be the same – every time I touch it, go for the end zone.”
Last season, Jackson and Najeh Davenport took turns replacing James, soJackson understands Davenport will see his share of playing time, too. Andthat’s OK.
“We may switch quarters, like I did with EJ,” Jackson said. “But untilKelly gets some experience, I think they will use us more.”
It won’t take long to find out what Jackson can do. The Hurricanes open theseason Aug. 29 against Ohio State in the Kickoff Classic. After a breatheragainst Florida A&M on Sept. 4, Penn State visits Miami on Sept. 18.
Run for 100 yards against the Buckeyes or Nittany Lions and Jackson is sureto gain national attention.
“We’re going out there to get as many wins as we can,” James said.”They’re human just like we’re human. Everybody wants to say this team isbetter than us, that team is better than us. We’ll see on the field.”
Two years ago, in a 27-25 loss at Virginia Tech, Jackson gave a sneakpreview of his talent. He replaced an injured James in the second half and ranfor 142 yards and two TDs – one a 78-yarder – on nine carries.
“With what he did against us in that game, he showed me he’s probably asgood as James,” Virginia Tech defensive end Corey Moore said. “He’s a toughrunner.”
James says some compare his running style with Barry Sanders’, “but I say,`No.’
“I like to watch Terrell Davis, and how he sits back there and waits forthe linemen to pick up the ends or the linebackers. As soon as that happens,it’s bump! I’m through the hole. That’s my style.”
He even uses mathematics to figure out his next move.
“I look at this as geometry,” Jackson said. “I look to see how fast thecornerback is coming, or where the linebacker is coming from, and what anglethey’re coming at and see if they are going to collide. Then I figure out waysto avoid them.”
Euclid couldn’t have said it better.
