Toughness defines Northwestern’s Jackson

IOWA CITY — Justin Jackson's moderate size belies the power he displays when he runs between the tackles.

Northwestern's 5-foot-10, 185-pound running back is physical at the point of attack, yet he finds a way to slither past contact. He hits, he cuts, he moves, he fights. Those are traits he displayed during a record-breaking high school career and since has enhanced at Northwestern.

Jackson has yet to start a game, but no Northwestern offensive player has made a greater impact than the true freshman from the Chicago suburbs. Jackson has led the Wildcats (3-4, 2-2 Big Ten) in rushing all seven games. He has 630 yards at a 4.7 yard-per-carry clip and ranks seventh in the Big Ten. But statistics fail to provide a true measure of Jackson's value. It's his toughness and elusiveness that set him apart.

'I faced nine-man boxes a lot of the time,' Jackson said of his high school days. 'You have very little space out there so you kind of have to create your own space by setting up defenders and squeezing through cracks. That's the one thing that really helped me in coming here.

'I think part of the goal in my game is making people miss in tight spaces and just trying to get as many yards as you can. Football comes down to inches.'

Northwestern Coach Pat Fitzgerald raves about Jackson's strength and toughness.

'It always seemed like the pile was going forward,' Fitzgerald said. 'I think he's having a really solid freshman campaign. It's scary how good he can be and that's exciting, not only for the end of the year, but also as we look to the future. I think it's his toughness and his leg drive. He fights for every inch, and that's what great backs do.'

Fitzgerald diligently recruited Jackson, and his persistence paid off. Jackson was ranked among the nation's best prospects after setting the Glenbard North (Ill.) record for career rushing yards. He ranks fifth all-time in Illinois high school history for both rushing yards (6,531) and rushing touchdowns (85).

Iowa also fought for Jackson, who took a recruiting trip to Iowa City in April of 2013. But one month later, Jackson determined the loyalty Fitzgerald displayed was worth his commitment.

'They were the first ones to offer me. They stayed on me and talked to me every week,' Jackson said. 'I visited probably six or seven times, which was probably the biggest advantage they had. I became really comfortable here.

'I really liked it up there (at Iowa). A great coaching staff, a really awesome college atmosphere, and I have a lot of friends who go there. In the end, Northwestern was my No. 1, and Iowa was probably my two.'

When moving to Northwestern, Jackson had to adapt from the traditional I-formation to a zone blocking scheme. The reads were different, and that became an adjustment.

'I just had to train my eyes to do the right things,' he said.

There's nothing wrong with Jackson's vision, especially over the last three games. He rushed for 162 yards on 33 carries in a win against Wisconsin. The following week, he rushed for 106 yards at Minnesota. He followed up with 128 yards — 99 in the first half — and two scores against Nebraska.

Iowa safety John Lowdermilk praised Jackson's durability and acceleration.

'He doesn't look like a freshman,' Iowa safety John Lowdermilk said. 'He's a good back. he's got good vision, he's got excellent moves. He's tough to tackle. We're really going to have to gang tackle him because he really keeps his feet moving on first contact. He's going to be a tough challenge.'

'He's just an excellent player,' Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz said.'

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