Dec 20, 2022; Boise, Idaho, USA; Eastern Michigan Eagles running back Jaylon Jackson (28) scores during the second half of action of the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl against the San Jose State Spartans at Albertsons Stadium. Eastern Michigan beats San Jose State 41-27. Mandatory Credit: Brian Losness-USA TODAY Sports
AMES — On paper, at least, Iowa State transfer running back Jaylon Jackson’s grown an inch since joining the program this spring. He’s also put on 12 pounds of muscle. That puts the diminutive and dynamic senior at 5-7 and 180 pounds — but his value to the Cyclones’ young stable of tailbacks transcends his measurable qualities.
“I’ll be able to catch the ball out of the backfield and run the ball, too,” said Jackson, who amassed a career-best 810 yards rushing and receiving last season for Eastern Michigan. “Just adding different elements to that room.”
ISU’s running game flashed and foundered in equal measures last season. Swift and powerful Abu Sama averaged 7.3 yards per carry as a true freshman last season and scored six touchdowns. Fellow sophomore Carson Hansen shined in the passing game at times. True freshman Dylan Lee could also contribute immediately, so the Cyclones’ running backs room is bursting with potential.
The next step? Finding consistency — especially for Sama, who scored five of his six touchdowns in wins over Kansas State and BYU.
“His consistency has been a lot better,” ISU’s first-year assistant head coach and running backs coach Tyler Roehl said. “It’s been really good.”
It needs to be — and not just for Sama. The Cyclones were held to 87 or fewer yards rushing six times last season. They also eclipsed 150 yards rushing five times and adding Jackson’s experience and explosiveness should help flatten those extreme fluctuations in production. He’ll also help in the return game, where he’s scored a touchdown in each of the past two seasons.
“I appreciate his enthusiasm, his passion, his energy at practice,” Roehl said of Jackson. “He’s got a little bit different skill set than everyone in the room. Good out of the backfield catching the ball. He can run the ball from ‘A’ gap, to ‘D’ gap, to the perimeter. You can split him out and do choice routes, hitches. He provides a wide variety (in his) skill set and I appreciate the work he’s putting in because the guys are rallying around him.”
That’s, in part, because Jackson’s path to Power Four college football has been circuitous. He spent two seasons at FCS Lamar, then leveled up a step to the Eastern Michigan of the MAC. Now he’s poised to contribute to ISU head coach Matt Campbell’s program as it seeks to contend for a Big 12 title.
“I think it just taught me that I’m resilient,” Jackson said. “I’ve wanted to play at this level for the longest (time). It’s what everybody dreams of. It just taught me that I’m resilient and to keep going.”
That’s the approach Roehl is taking in his mostly young room, where Jackson — until recently — was the only guy over the age of 20. The speed is there. Versatility, too. But consistency? That’s a work in progress as the countdown continues toward the Aug. 31 season opener against North Dakota.
“We need to finish runs,” Roehl said. “We’re not gonna go out of bounds. Our goal is to dictate the terms every time we touch the ball and it’s been fun to see them mature daily and invest in that. That’s an area where physically and mentally they’re growing daily — and they can still grow a lot.”