Action Jackson

Note: the following is an excerpt of T's 2007 Cal Preview that I contributed this year. This Cal Fan favorite annual publication including in-depth player analysis and uncannily accurate game predictions is available now at:
T’s Cal Football Page.

Action Jackson

Junior #1 DeSean Jackson may be the most talented wide received in the NCAA this season. Heck, he most certainly is the most talented punt returner in the country, so that makes him the best at two positions. This season he will be one of the most talked about players at Cal, in the Pac 10, and in the country. At 6’0”, 165 pounds he isn’t the biggest guy you will see catching passes, but he just might be the fastest and most electrifying. He will again be the main weapon in the Bears’ aerial attack, using his 36” vertical leap, 4.3 / 40 speed, and impressive strength, to separate from defenders, make dazzling plays on the football, and get yards after the catch as he did in his first two seasons. He has a chance to score every single time he touches the football.

The Sporting News and Rivals.com have named Jackson the top receiver in the nation going into 2007, and publications from ESPN to www.Sportscrack.com have him in their pre-season all American, and Heisman candidate lists. Do not miss his all-hype website at http://www.the1towatch.com/ as Cal promotes his run at the Heisman.

Jackson led the Bears in 2006 with 59 catches, 1,060 yards, and 9 receiving scores, and was named a starter on the all Pac 10 team last season. He showed several times that he could simply take games over with amazing performances against Minnesota (7 receptions, 114 yards, 3 TD’s), and Arizona (6 receptions, 131 yards, 1 TD), and a memorable Big Game (7 catches for 127 yards). He only once was held to less than three catches (2 receptions against Oregon), and only twice was held to under 50 yards. He could easily surpass these amazing stats in 2007 with another year of maturity and experience under his belt.

Oh, and you will have to read about his punt returning abilities in the special teams section of this preview. All I will say here is that he scored on almost 20% of his returns last season, so expect him to get the “Deltha O’Neal” treatment quite often as kickers aim for the sidelines to try to not get burned.

One thing you do not want to miss this year is every single time DeSean touches the football. He is a one-man thrill ride, or as ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit said. "If there's one guy, when the ball is in his hands that you hold your breath on, it's DeSean Jackson. He's the greatest playmaker in college football."

Buckle up Cal fans, this is going to be fun.