Freshman Adoree’ Jackson excels as a two-sport athlete

True freshman Adoree’ Jackson has gone from small town hero to big city boy as he looks to prepare for not only the NFL Draft, but also the 2016 Olympics.  Jackson does it all with a goofy smile on his face and embracing the nickname “Sweet Pea,” which his mother gave him years ago.

The football standout started his athletic career for USC on the gridiron as a cornerback, wide receiver and kick returner. This in itself is enough to solidify Jackson as a player to watch through his athletic career at USC, but Jackson is not done there.  He also stars on the track and field team as a member of relay teams and as a long jumper.

Jackson’s athletic prowess as a jumper is nothing new.  In 2014, as a high school senior, Jackson jumped the second longest distance of all high schoolers in the country at 7.75 meters, a distance good enough for 22nd at the London Olympics.  Jackson’s goal for this season is to regain his track legs and work himself back to that level of competition.

As a two-sport athlete, Jackson knows his track days have an expiration date, but that does not stop him from reaching for stunning goals.  Jackson cites his ultimate track goal as jumping in the Olympics.

“Just take a shot at that dream,” said Jackson regarding his attitude toward his goal. “Being able to run track at the Olympics in Rio next year…”

Jackson knows that the road to the Olympics will be hard because he is not able to devote all of his time to training for that sport.

Jackson deals with the outside pressure by focusing on what he knows he can do and maintaining a steady work ethic to better himself.

“If you see me on the football field and then I don’t do so good, you say, ‘Why is he running track,’” said Jackson.  “You’ve got to make sure you are always on your game so people don’t say, ‘He shouldn’t be doing two sports.’”

The unrealistic expectations are generated as a result of Jackson’s dynamic performance so early in his career.

“Sometimes people think you aren’t human,” Jackson said.  “So when you make a mistake people just forget the fact that you are human and you make mistakes.”

Jackson gives high praise for the football team heading into the 2015 season, stating that the team is significantly further along this season than they were at this point last year.  One of the reasons for this improvement is another year under the direction of head coach Steve Sarkisian.

“We just want to take it        day-by-day,” Jackson said about the team’s attitude regarding the upcoming season.  “We saw what happened at Boston College,” referring to the team’s dismemberment by an unranked Eagles team despite the Trojans being ranked No. 9 nationally.  Jackson smiled about the game in hindsight, knowing it was a learning experience for both him and the team.

Jackson is working for a future in football, something that will be facilitated by his choice to play college ball for USC.

“USC is the best choice I’ve made so far,” Jackson said.  “Other than my decision to move to California.”

Jackson grew up in Belleville, Illinois, a small town where he participated in football and track growing up in addition to his favorite sport: basketball.

Jackson hopes to return home one day, perhaps even by pursuing his NFL dream of playing for the St. Louis Rams.

“I want to be the hometown hero,” said Jackson.  “I want people to say, ‘That’s the same guy we grew up with.’”

Jackson’s personality is reflected in the way he interacts with his fans. He often posts on Instagram and Twitter, thanking fans and reaching out to them.  This was evident most recently following the spring football game where Jackson could not stay to sign autographs for everyone, so he posted his Snapchat username to stay in touch with his fans.

“I just wanted to sign everybody’s autograph,” Jackson said.  “See what’s going on with them.”

Jackson exudes humility and friendliness that complement a smile that lights up the room.

“I just try to be the person that I came here as,” Jackson explains when asked why he works so hard to maintain such a high level of transparency and accessibility.

This refreshing and surprisingly mature sense of self bodes well for Sweet Pea as he carries on to St. Louis, Rio de Janeiro and beyond.