Former QB Sam Jackson Didn’t Let Setbacks Stop Him from Chasing NFL Dream

STILLWATER — On Saturday, Auburn transfer Sam Jackson did his best to inject some life into a cold and wet Boone Pickens Stadium when he returned the scrimmage’s first punt 80 yards for a touchdown.

He also won a bet with the coaching staff.

“Actually, when I came here on a recruitment … I was talking to one of the coaches and one of the GAs about where I was going to score my first touchdown,” Jackson said on Saturday. “And I scored it on the side that I bet the money on. Obviously, I won’t get paid for it, but it felt amazing for sure.”

Jackson might not get paid out on this bet, but his arrival in Stillwater is just another time the former quarterback-turned receiver bet on himself and he’s hoping this one pays off.

“My goal is to get to the next level,” Jackson said. “I want to go to the NFL. And I know that my chances were slim with just how my career was going at quarterback. So, I knew that I wanted to make the transition.”

In two years at TCU in 2021-22, Jackson completed 6-of-6 passes for 125 yards. He also rushed 15 times for 79 yards and two touchdowns.

At Cal in 2023, Jackson finished 3-0 as a starter, completing 51-of-97 passes for 556 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions before a torn labrum and possibly other injuries sidelined him for the rest of the season.

“It was tough for me,” Jackson said. “I grew up playing quarterback my entire life. … And my support system was kind of telling me, like, we want you to stay at quarterback. But honestly, it was just a change at heart for me.”

At least on paper, his decision to switch to receiver during his one-year stop at Auburn didn’t lead to success, as he finished the season with two receptions for 63 yards and a touchdown.

Jackson arguably had more success in the first period on Saturday when he followed up his touchdown with a 39-yard kick return that saw him very nearly break through for another score the very next time he touched the ball.

“It felt great,” Jackson said of his touchdown. “I haven’t had a full year yet just to play in college football, and I just feel like this is, this is one of those years.”

In four seasons, Jackson has seen the field just 21 times total for an average of 5.25 games per season, bolstered largely by a nine-game season with the Auburn Tigers. This is not the career path many, including Jackson himself, would have envisioned for him when he committed to TCU over reported offers from Oregon, Notre Dame and others. Yet Jackson discussed his setbacks with the same upbeat attitude and smile he wore while discussing his big punt return.

“Oh yeah, I was definitely frustrated (at times),” Jackson said. “But you know, when you got a good support system, you know, my dad, my mom, and the guys that trained me, I got a mentor and stuff like that. It’s been, I’m not gonna say it’s been peaches and cream, but … I just kind of grew up around a tough love (environment) so I was already mentally, like, prepared for how this was going to happen. I didn’t want it to happen like this. But, you know, it really didn’t knock me down or anything like that. I just got back up when it did, though.”

Jackson’s decision to join the Cowboys this offseason comes largely due to his relationship with new Oklahoma State offensive coordinator Doug Meacham after he recruited Jackson to TCU in the first place.

“Once you get to know Meacham, he’s a great dude,” Jackson said. “Pretty funny guy, too. He’s really, really, really smart. So it was pretty easy. It was easy for me once I got that call from Oklahoma State.”

Of course, it also helped Meacham’s pitch this time around that Jackson already knew what Boone Pickens was like when the stadium was packed.

“I completed my first pass against Oklahoma State (for 62 yards),” Jackson said. “I was definitely here when they were smacking the paddles against the thing and stuff like that. It was crazy, and it was loud. It was probably the best atmosphere I played in, in the Big 12 my freshman year, for sure, by far.”

If receiver Da’Wain Lofton remains outside, as he did during Saturday’s scrimmage, then slot receiver Gavin Freeman could be Jackson’s primary competition for snaps at the slot position this fall.

Jackson said his time at quarterback helped him navigate the transition to receiver, but he also acknowledged he still has a lot to learn, especially when it comes to hand-fighting with defensive backs.

“I’m still learning to play the position,” Jackson said. “But you guys will see a lot more from me coming forward.”