Eagle Staff Writer
Navasota wide receiver Brandal Jackson made a verbal commitment Tuesday to play college football at Texas A&M.
Jackson was a first-team all-district and all-Brazos Valley player as a junior, when he had 39 receptions for 756 yards. He also had two carries for 35 yards. As a sophomore, Jackson had 14 receptions for 364 yards and four touchdowns.
"From what they are telling me about the offense now, with the spread and the empty set, it was the type of offense I wanted to go with," said Jackson, who was part of a three-game run to the quarterfinals by the Rattlers in the Class 3A Division I playoffs last season. "It's really a balanced offense, which is what we run here in Navasota."
Jackson, at 6-foot-1 1/2 and 180 pounds, is the second Navasota player to commit to a Division I school. Running back Dexter Pratt verbally committed to LSU.
Rivals.com ranks Jackson as the 15th-best receiver in Texas and 81st nationally. Jackson has been clocked at 4.51 seconds in the 40-yard dash and has a vertical leap of 37 inches.
"He goes to the football better than anyone I've been around," Navasota coach Lee Fedora said. "He has soft hands, is a 4.5 kid with great speed and he has an unbelievable leaping ability. He is also very aggressive and loves to block."
Jackson agrees with his coach's assessment.
"I think it's my jumping ability," Jackson said. "I can catch the ball in midair with a defender on me."
Jackson narrowed his choices down to three schools before deciding on A&M.
"Baylor was in the running and I was looking at Southern Miss," Jackson said. "A&M suits me best. I have been out there, coming up there a lot."
Jackson is hoping that the commitment now will allow him to focus on his senior season with the Rattlers, who were ranked second in Class 3A by Dave Campbell's Texas Football magazine.
"They have been calling me every day and asking me who had made offers," Jackson said. "Now that I made my decision, maybe it will calm down."
• David Campbell's e-mail address is david.campbell@theeagle.com.
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Posted by: Dariel B.k.A. T.e.x. Henry On: 7/7/2008
Comment Title: whats
Thats whats up boy this ya one and only Dariel Henry aka Lil Dariel D- 1 runnin back...... Keep up the good work kid and so every body that N.A. boys got talent to ya digg stay up. . .
Posted by: Lady J On: 7/2/2008
Comment Title: Keep your head up
Congrats JR!!!! I am are very proud of you. It is a honor to get this type of recognition. No matter what, you continue to move forward. Don't let anyone or anything keep you from achieving your dreams. Some will say that they are happy for you, but will not really mean it. Be mindful of who you consider as friends. Always keep positive people around, so that it will help ypu to stay focused on what you are wanting to achieve. Good Luck, and we love you. Be Blessed!
Posted by: Rattler Class of '84 On: 6/26/2008
Comment Title: You go boy!
Good luck to you!
Posted by: Spencer On: 6/25/2008
Comment Title: Calm down?
Poor kid. It hasn't yet begun.