Adoree’ Jackson’s Electricity Makes USC Football Magic

C&G Shades On is a special weekly column from Sara Kakuris, bringing a die-hard USC fan’s voice and perspective to Reign of Troy.

Oh, Adoree’ Jackson. Never before has a name so perfectly written itself a front row fan t-shirt.

Though, I’m still trying to forget the days of ‘Booty Booty Booty Booty Rockin’ Everywhere!‘ If you weren’t around for that short lived cotton cry, consider yourself lucky.

But I adore Adoree’.

I get an excitement watching him that I haven’t had since the days of watching Mike Williams. With both, you knew as soon as they took off down the field that something electric was going to happen.

With Jackson however, we get the added anticipation of the fact that he almost plays every position on the field. In fact, he is USC’s first three-way player in almost 20 years.

I wouldn’t try to pass the ball if I were you. Adoree’ is on your guy like the NCAA on USC.

Oh cool, USC wants to pass? Adoree’ is just one spiral away.

And kicking off? Yup, that’s Adoree’ in the backfield.

If you weren’t a Williams fan, then how about that feeling you got when the ball was kicked to Reggie? Fair catch? Please. Adoree’s got it. 98 yards of got it, all the way to the Holiday Bowl end zone.

Don’t forget, he’s also a long jumper on SC’s track team and was named the Pac-12 Defensive Freshman of the Year. No big deal.

Adoree’ Jackson | Kirby Lee – USA TODAY SPORTS IMAGES

But most importantly, he just seems like a good dude.

My most fun game experience came from incidentally sitting behind his brother at a game, all the way up in the 92nd row of the Coliseum this past year.

Never have I seen someone go so crazy when a play was made, but boy did he.

He was so proud of his brother that, in between plays, he showed me several of his hype videos from high school. Impressive is the least I could say about them.

Jackson has made a strong impression on head coach Steve Sarkisian, who said of the multifaceted player: “I’m trying to find a flaw right now with the guy.”

“He’s prepared,” said Sark. “He studies. He gets his rest. He recovers. He comes energized and ultimately, he knows what he’s doing and he’s making plays.”

Freshman success can backfire off the field. Johnny Manziel and Jameis Winston are the most extreme and recent examples of this, but the immaturity of an 18 year old mixed with the fame of being a football superstar can end up as a career suicide to any player, or at least a brutal maiming.

Lucky for USC, it seems like Adoree’ Jackson is not interested in fitting into that mold.

Forty-nine tackles, including four for losses, 10 deflections, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery on defense. Plus 10 receptions for 138 yards with three touchdowns and a carry for 5 yards on offense, and 23 kickoff returns for 684 yards with two touchdowns on special teams.

For once, I don’t think it’s too premature to be discussing a Heisman candidacy.

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