STILLWATER – Dezmon Jackson hasn’t had it easy. The star at small Parker’s Chapel High School in El Dorado, Ark., he was All-State as a junior and set all kinds of records at his high school but by January of his graduation year in 2017, there were no offers. Hutchinson Community College was his next step and it was there with the Dragons that Jackson drew the attention of Oklahoma State.
His recruitment actually came later in the recruiting process, but better late than never. Kind of like his opportunity this season as the running back. Saturday in the 50-44 win over Texas Tech, Jackson brought back memories of running backs like Terry Miller, George Palmer, Ernest Anderson, Charles Crawford, you know backs that run over people as much as they run around them. His workhorse 36 carries for 235-yards doesn’t come easy. He didn’t act like it during the game or even after, but Sunday Jackson was sore.
“I was very sore and you have to do a lot of recovery stuff,” Jackson walked me through his routine which is a little more than icy hot or some other rub. “I had to take care of my body. I had a massage done. I was doing lots of cold tub and hot tub. I was doing stretching. Monday, I felt it the most and then today (Tuesday) at practice I came around and felt good. My legs were loose. If I just keep going the next two weeks, my recovery process, then I will be fine.”
The offensive line is loving the experience of Saturday as several of his blockers talked about how much confidence they feel from blocking for a 235-yard rushing and the Big 12 Newcomer of the Week. Jackson told me when he sat down to watch the video, he almost didn’t need to. His mental image of what he did was spot on.
“It was exactly the way I remembered it besides the fumble, which I was very disappointed in,” Jackson recalled and like most good players hit on the negative first with the fumble. “I feel like I played a very complete game. I didn’t miss any holes or any assignments. I was very focused and locked in the past week in practice. It really showed on film.”
Jackson is as comfortable in front of the camera answering questions as he is carrying tacklers, he is very soft spoken and humble. It’s also a throwback to football heroes past in many ways.
He was asked about preparing to carry 36 times again this Saturday against TCU or any game in the future and his answer …
“I hope I don’t to carry the ball 36 times, but if I do, then I will,” Jackson answered. “I will do whatever it takes for us to win the game.”
