Captain will compete with class to keep top spot
Quarterback Bernard Jackson does not need to prove his resourcefulness on the field. The only thing left to contemplate is what position he will play in the upcoming season.
Jackson said opportunity is all he can ask for.
“I get to come out here everyday and be around guys I like playing with, learn from the coaches, and have fun. So I can’t complain,” he said.
During the early stages of Jackson’s college career, the student-athlete personified alteration. After redshirting freshman year, he had entered the 2004 season listed fifth at quarterback. The coaches searched for ways to utilize his talent. Jackson saw action at wide receiver, punt returner and quarterback.
A very similar scenario played out during the 2005 season. He entered third on the depth chart at quarterback, but the coaches shifted Jackson through multiple positions. Jackson even saw his first time at tailback.
Jackson finally took hold of the offensive reigns this past season after a tentative battle for the starting quarterback position.
The speedy Jackson held a strong presence on the ground. He ran the ball 155 times for 677 yards and seven rushing touchdowns. Jackson’s 62-yard touchdown run was the team’s longest of the season.
Jackson did struggle at times passing the ball. The quarterback passed 219 times, completing 108 for 1,298 yards. He threw for seven touchdowns.
Jackson is once again contending for the starting quarterback position, but his experience this spring hardly mirrors what he encountered this time last year.
“Things are a lot more at ease this time around,” Jackson said. “As far as a team, everybody is a lot further along than last year on both sides of the ball.”
All three potential starting quarterbacks are at ease with the competition process, leaving no room for tension, Jackson said.
“It’s competition and I won’t complain about having to be competitive,” he said. “Nick (Nelson) and Cody (Hawkins) are doing an exceptional job and we all just have to keep battling. There is no disrespect toward one another and we help each other out as much as possible.”
Head coach Dan Hawkins has noticed the relationship among the three quarterbacks.
“Those guys support each other, they want to see each other do well and they know that there is a role and a piece of the pie for each of them,” Hawkins said. “Great chemistry has to start with the quarterback position because it is the biggest leadership spot.”
Jackson was recently named one of the Buffs’ three captains for the 2007 season. He got looks at different positions within several formations during practice this week. Jackson hopes to improve at his own pace in order to fine-tune what he has to offer the team.
“I’m trying to maintain a certain weight, keep my speed and stay sharp in the playbook. I want to retain all the knowledge that I can,” Jackson said. “I’m really not trying to make any big jumps or strides. I’m out here to have fun and make sure that all the guys around me are having fun as well.”
Contact Campus Press staff writer Corey Jones at corey.jones@thecampuspress.com.
