RB Jackson fuels Sundevils offense

Spencer Patterson

Monday, Aug. 28, 2000 | 7:35 a.m.

A look at Steven Jackson:

School: Eldorado

Position: RB/LB

Year: Senior

Height: 6-1

Weight: 210

Notes: Rushed for 1,286 yards, 19 TDs in 1999; scored two receiving TDs, one TD on interception return; second team All-Sunrise Division running back; honorable mention Sun All-State selection

Said Sundevils coach Ken Trujillo: "He's the best back in town, probably in the state. He goes out there and does his thing and opens everybody's eyes that way."

You don't have to be Bill Parcells or Jimmy Johnson to come up with a game plan designed to shut down Eldorado's offense this fall.

The idea is simple: stop running back Steven Jackson and you're likely to stop the Sundevils in 2000.

Of course, knowing that and doing anything about it are two different things.

Just because Eldorado's opponents know Jackson is coming at them doesn't mean they'll have any better chance of slowing down the player considered Nevada's top returning back.

A dangerous combination of size -- the 6-1, 210-pounder is a load to bring down -- and speed -- his 4.3-second 40 time is among the best in the state -- Jackson spent the 1999 campaign dragging tacklers downfield to the tune of nearly 1,300 yards and 19 touchdowns.

"He has the complete package," Eldorado coach Ken Trujillo said. "He's big, he's quick, he's so strong and in the open field, he's so hard to bring down. And he's also blessed because he can catch anything."

Now, after a summer spent working on his strength and endurance, Jackson appears poised for a breakout final season.

"There's going to be more pressure on me this year. Teams will be putting eight men in the box," Jackson said. "So I worked out this summer, especially on my legs, to be ready."

Jackson will also have added responsibilities on the defensive side of the ball. After seeing time at safety last season, he will be a full-time outside linebacker for the Sundevils, meaning he'll be on the field for nearly every play.

"It's going to be rough," Jackson admitted. "But once I get used to it, I should be all right."

Though Jackson will be the workhorse on offense, he won't be expected to carry the load alone. Junior Erik Williams is another returner in the backfield, and the the slashing 5-6, 160-pounder should provide a nice change-of-pace from Jackson's more bruising style.

A Vo-Tech student with a stellar 3.8 grade-point average, Jackson said he is considering a list of colleges that includes Tennessee, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Texas, Michigan and Arizona St.

Before he makes a decision about where he'll play next year, Jackson will focus his attention on the season at hand. And Trujillo knows that for the Sundevils to have success in 2000, they'll need to get everything they can from their star.

"What I'm looking for from him is to step it up even more," Trujillo said. "If he practices well, we'll practice well. And if he can do that, it will just fire up our kids. Our kids will go as far as he goes this year."