Today is my birthday, so I'm going to treat myself to a countdown article if that's alright with you. And if you must know how old I am, let's just say I'm old for a dog, but not for a Galapagos turtle.
We've got 15 days until kickoff...so today we'll be highlighting #15 on the Boise State roster—Tyler Jackson
#15, Tyler Jackson, Senior, WR
Stats
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 195 lbs.
High School: Douglas County High School, Castle Rock, CO
How'd he get to The Blue™?
Jackson won three football letters at Castle Rock, Colorado's Douglas County High where he excelled at the safety position. As a senior, Jackson earned first-team all-state, first team All-Colorado (all divisions), and first-team All-Continental League honors after posting 70 tackles, 9 interceptions and 10 PBUs, and also blocking 4 punts and 6 field goals. As a junior, Jackson received honorable mention all-state and was named first-team All-Continental League after making 60 tackles, 6 interceptions and breaking up 22 passes. Showing his versatility as an athlete, Jackson also lettered in track and field, basketball, and lacrosse. Named a 3-star recruit and the 54th rated player at the safety position by Scout.com, Jackson received offers from Colorado State, Air Force, Kansas, Washington State, and Wyoming.
Nickname
"Jermaine"
He's a Jackson and he's unsung. Seems to fit. "But what about that song Jermaine did with Pia Zadora?", you're probably asking. Well, okay—since you asked...
Look-a-like
Hate to do this to you again, man...but the resemblance is uncanny.
Career highlights
Played in 8 games for the Broncos in 2011 on special teams and backup wide receiver. Played in 3 games for the Broncos in 2010. Was named to WAC All-Academic team in 2010. Won Denver Post Gold Helmet award, presented annually to Colorado's top senior football player, scholar and citizen.
2012 prospectus
Jackson is a talented, athletic, and highly-regarded recruit. That's why it pains me that he has never really gotten much opportunity on the field. Really, it's not his fault...he was recruited as a safety at a time when we had just broken in a 4-year staple (George Iloka) and had the other spot locked firmly down (Jeron Johnson). Knowing that safety would be a tough row to hoe, the Broncos decided that they wanted him on the field anyway, so started grooming him to be a standout special teamer and wide receiver. Problem was, he was easing in to the wide receiver spot right at a time when the Broncos had some of their best receivers of all time lining up. Jackson, somewhat unsurprisingly fell to the second and third tier of the receiver depth charts—something that held no shame when the likes of Pettis, Young and Shoemaker were breaking records at the top. Now, in Jackson's senior year the path again looks rocky with the emergence of Matt Miller, Mitch Burroughs, and a host of other playmaking wideouts and tight ends creating a pass-catching logjam. But there's still some room there...and honestly, I hope that Jackson can step up and wrestle some grabs away...no one earns touches by seniority, but he's earned opportunities no doubt. Miller and Burroughs should be the top 2 receivers in the Bronco arsenal and Potter, Moore, Burks and the other Burroughs brother should all factor in to the race for 3rd with Boldewijn out of commission for a while. The wild cards at wideout will be Ware, Jackson and Williams-Rhodes in my humblest opinion. Bronco fans have been waiting for Ware to get his shot at the field and I think his big-body and rumored sure hands could lead to a breakout year. Jackson is about the same size as Tyler Shoemaker, and his experience level should be an added bonus...I think he also, with a big camp, could move out of the shadows and more into the limelight. Then there's Williams-Rhodes, of course...a huge playmaker in a not-so-huge body. If he doesn't redshirt, he could be deep threat at wideout or out of the backfield. The receiver and tight end chart is stacked...no question about that—and the new QB may not be as charitable as Kellen Moore, meaning the number of touches per receiver could go down. I have no idea what this means for Jackson, but I hope that he'll finally be able to make an indelible mark this year on offense or special teams. He's been a trooper and a true Bronco.
Completely made up fact
Because he grew up in the high-altitudes of Colorado, Jackson has twice the lung capacity of a normal man. This definitely comes in handy on the football field, but also with birthday cakes, cooling off hot pizza, and singing the "long version" of American Pie.