As most seniors spend the fall stressed over college applications, every Friday on Instagram, Antwan Jackson (11) reposts dozens of colleges wishing him luck before his football games. Jackson, who still has a season and a half left to play during his high school career, already has over ten Division I offers.
Standing at 6 feet 6 inches tall and 240 pounds, Jackson is a presence on the field as a tight end and defensive end. He has been playing football for around 10 years, starting when he was six.
“We had [just] moved and there was a team down the street and my friends in elementary school was playing, so I just went to practice in there,” Jackson said.
He continued playing throughout his childhood, and when he hit a growth spurt in middle school, he knew he had the potential to push his talent further.
“When I was 12, that was when I realized this is something I really want to do,” Jackson said. “And, I really can … because of my size and like my football IQ.”
The end of eighth grade came, and Jackson chose to attend White Station High School (WSHS). Although the football program sustained the chaos of losing seasons and coaching changes during his first years at WSHS, Jackson spent time honing his skills and playing his part on the team. Soon, his childhood dream came true.
“I got my first offer when I went to [The University of] Memphis, when I went to Memphis camp,” Jackson said. “Then [after] two weeks, we went back for a 7-on-7 tournament, and they told me I was offered.”
Jackson now has offers from nine Division I football programs, notably from the University of Memphis, Louisiana State University and the University of Mississippi. With over 15,000 Instagram followers, his talent has brought him fame and notoriety. He has ample time to continue stacking offers, as he is only in the middle of his junior year season. Getting a Division I offer is a dream for many, and now that Jackson has achieved this goal, he is looking even further forward.
“That’s the goal. [Playing in the National Football League] [is] the end goal,” Jackson said. “Ain’t nobody in my family [ever] made it to the league, none of that, so [I’m] trying to make a change.”
Although Jackson has a lot to decide regarding his future career, he is soaking up his time in high school. He is a leader within the team, often using his humor and positive attitude to cheer teammates up.
“I make sure I keep everybody up, you know, no matter what,” Jackson said. “I don’t want to see nobody down because, especially with me, I can’t be down because like everybody, everybody look[s] up to me, especially all the young ones.”
Jackson has spent his life dedicating himself to football, through year-round training, neverending practices and a strenuous series of camps and games, but his love of the game carries him through it all as he looks forward, ready to dedicate his career to the sport.
“Football is me,” Jackson said. “I am football. So anybody that know[s] me, they know about football, because that’s all I know.”