Tanner McCalister Reveals Some Unknowns about Dezmon Jackson
STILLWATER – Oklahoma State wrapped up preparations for Saturday’s critical 11 a.m. game at TCU with an afternoon practice split between the stadium and the Sherman Smith Training Center. The Cowboys are looking to continue the trend from last week’s win over Texas Tech of high scoring and explosive offense and at the same time get the defense that has been somewhat maligned the past three games back on track. Two members of that defense and the star on offense of last week’s win over the Red Raiders actually room together and we learned somethings about the trio of cornerback Jarrick Bernard-Converse, “strike” safety Tanner McCalister, and running back Dezmon Jackson.
Jackson was interviewed by the media on Tuesday and kept it somewhat close to the vest, but we found out on Wednesday when McCalister appeared before the media on a Zoom that Jackson is sort of an amateur sommelier.
“Hey if he gets mad at me for this, I don’t know, but Dez is really into wine. He is a wine connoisseur,” McCalister said of the running back that carried 36 times last week for 235-yards and three touchdowns. “He knows all kinds of wine. He is 21 (years-old) and he is into all kinds of wine stuff. I didn’t know if you all knew that.”
McCalister said he and Bernard-Converse were on the sidelines paying a lot of attention to their roomie and what he was doing in his first start.
“We were really excited and every time he would touch the ball Jarrick and I were screaming, ‘let’s go Dez.’ We were screaming and it was great to see him do what he did because Chuba and LD had most of the carries this season and he played a background role. It was exciting to see what he did when he got his opportunity. It kind of fed into me when I went out on defense.”
Speaking of that, McCalister is eager to get back this Saturday near home (he’s from Rockwall) to get the defense rolling again.
“We’ve got the momentum back (after losing to Oklahoma) and I think that is a good thing. On defense we have to make up for last week because I think we gave up too many points on the scoreboard,” McCalister added. “I think everybody is excited to get back out there and play and beat a good team in TCU.”
The Cowboys will leave during the noon hour on Friday, loading up the eight buses to head to Fort Worth, Texas.
Now back quick to the roommates. Dezmon Jackson may know the wines, but what is the “go to” for the roommates when they go out for dinner.
“Indecision is a lot of it, but I would say we go with Panda Express or Chipotle,” McCalister said. “It’s one of those and probably Chipotle a little more.”
The wine choice, I’m no expert, but I would guess a good sangria.