Oklahoma State University Athletics
Jackson Reaping Rewards of a Long Journey
December 01, 2020 | Cowboy Football
STILLWATER – Dezmon Jackson made racking up 235 yards and three touchdowns look easy in Oklahoma State's win over Texas Tech on Saturday, but the journey he took to Stillwater didn't come as simple as the yards he piled up.
"Coming out of high school I had a lot of records, but since I went to a small school I wasn't highly recruited," Jackson said. "In January of my graduating year I didn't have any offers, but I never panicked. I always knew that God had me. When I got to JUCO, it was tough and I actually wanted to quit, which was something I had never experienced. It was such a tough lifestyle, but once I managed to change as a man and matured I was glad that I got through that."
After spending a year at Hutchinson Community College, Jackson arrived at Oklahoma State, but was behind All-American running back Chuba Hubbard and LD Brown. Before his first start on Saturday, Jackson only had 135 rushing yards as a Cowboy.
"There was a lot of tough times when I got frustrated, but I kept pushing and my work ethic really showed Saturday," Jackson said. "Coming from not playing as much to starting and getting 36 carries, it surprised me how good of shape I was in and showed me how much my hard work had paid off."
Beginning the season as a backup to being thrust into the starting lineup and having success has been a common trend for Oklahoma State this year. Offensive tackle Jake Springfield had a similar experience to Jackson when he was called to action in the season opener against Tulsa due to injuries on the offensive line.
"I feel great for him," Springfield said of Jackson. "He works hard every day. I'm happy he finally got his opportunity and I got to block for him. He kept hitting the holes hard and running the ball all over the field. It felt amazing."
Jackson is receiving the recognition and praise for his career performance, but he knows his success is not possible without the big men in front of him doing their jobs.
"I felt like they played a perfect game," Jackson said. "All game from the jump I was seeing holes. We had a good vibe going and kept it going throughout the game. They work so hard and I'm so appreciative of them."
The redshirt junior running back will try to make his next outing as good as the last when No. 15 Oklahoma State plays at TCU on Saturday. He will face a TCU defense that allows 134.4 rushing yards per game, but Jackson is used to grinding for what he gets.
"Coming from a small school and then going to a JUCO, I never had anything in my life handed to me," Jackson said. "I've never been a high-star guy or highly recruited, so my motivation is that I want to prove myself right rather than prove everybody wrong. I know what I can do and I love the game and that keeps me going."
"Coming out of high school I had a lot of records, but since I went to a small school I wasn't highly recruited," Jackson said. "In January of my graduating year I didn't have any offers, but I never panicked. I always knew that God had me. When I got to JUCO, it was tough and I actually wanted to quit, which was something I had never experienced. It was such a tough lifestyle, but once I managed to change as a man and matured I was glad that I got through that."
After spending a year at Hutchinson Community College, Jackson arrived at Oklahoma State, but was behind All-American running back Chuba Hubbard and LD Brown. Before his first start on Saturday, Jackson only had 135 rushing yards as a Cowboy.
"There was a lot of tough times when I got frustrated, but I kept pushing and my work ethic really showed Saturday," Jackson said. "Coming from not playing as much to starting and getting 36 carries, it surprised me how good of shape I was in and showed me how much my hard work had paid off."
Beginning the season as a backup to being thrust into the starting lineup and having success has been a common trend for Oklahoma State this year. Offensive tackle Jake Springfield had a similar experience to Jackson when he was called to action in the season opener against Tulsa due to injuries on the offensive line.
"I feel great for him," Springfield said of Jackson. "He works hard every day. I'm happy he finally got his opportunity and I got to block for him. He kept hitting the holes hard and running the ball all over the field. It felt amazing."
Jackson is receiving the recognition and praise for his career performance, but he knows his success is not possible without the big men in front of him doing their jobs.
"I felt like they played a perfect game," Jackson said. "All game from the jump I was seeing holes. We had a good vibe going and kept it going throughout the game. They work so hard and I'm so appreciative of them."
The redshirt junior running back will try to make his next outing as good as the last when No. 15 Oklahoma State plays at TCU on Saturday. He will face a TCU defense that allows 134.4 rushing yards per game, but Jackson is used to grinding for what he gets.
"Coming from a small school and then going to a JUCO, I never had anything in my life handed to me," Jackson said. "I've never been a high-star guy or highly recruited, so my motivation is that I want to prove myself right rather than prove everybody wrong. I know what I can do and I love the game and that keeps me going."
Players Mentioned
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