Jackson accepts offer from Army
West Greene鈥檚 Benjamin Jackson looks for running room against Cameron during the Pioneers鈥� season-opening game at Kennedy Field Aug. 26. Jackson verbally committed to Army last Thursday, which recruited him as a linebacker. (Photo by Celeste Van Kirk)
Rob Burchianti | 缅北禁地
Rob Burchianti | 缅北禁地
West Greene鈥檚 Benjamin Jackson secures a rebound against Chartiers-Houston during Friday鈥檚 Falcon Fest at Brownsville Area High School. Jackson, more known for his exploits on the football field, verbally committed to Army on Thursday, which recruited him as a linebacker.
Benjamin Jackson was playing a basketball game last Friday night for West Greene in the Falcon Fest tournament at Brownsville Area High School.
After making one of the biggest decisions of his life the previous day, Jackson could finally concentrate on basketball.
Well, sort of.
鈥淲e鈥檙e just focusing on basketball season right now,鈥� Jackson said after the Pioneers鈥� season-opening 61-40 loss to Chartiers-Houston.
鈥淏ut, of course, it鈥檚 always football season in my mind.鈥�
After a record-breaking year on the gridiron with the Pioneers, next football season will take Jackson to West Point and into an NCAA Division I program.
The 6-foot-1, 220-pound senior verbally committed to Army on Thursday, which recruited him as a linebacker, another position he excelled at with West Greene under coach Brian Hanson.
Jackson found out recently that he had been accepted into The United States Military Academy. The opportunity had presented itself and Jackson thought long and hard about what decision he should make.
鈥淚 definitely prayed a lot about it,鈥� Jackson said. 鈥淚 talked to my dad, I talked to my pastor, I talked to my mother. I got some advice from friends and some other family members, like my uncles because they served, my grandfathers served.
鈥淪o it was just getting little pieces of advice and also praying about it.鈥�
Jackson was taken back when Army extended its hand to him.
鈥淎t first when they did offer me about a month ago I was pretty astounded and excited,鈥� he said. 鈥淥f course, not a lot of people get an offer like that.鈥�
Jackson鈥檚 character and, of course, his impressive numbers on the football field would catch any suitor鈥檚 eye.
Jackson ended his high school career with 7,105 yards and 102 touchdowns and was part of three playoff teams and two conference championships. He helped the Pioneers earn their first WPIAL playoff win since 1993 and a trip to the semifinals in his senior year, while rushing for a WPIAL single-season record 3,079 yards along with scoring 50 touchdowns.
Jackson pondered the offer from Army until Thursday.
鈥淚 was always leaning towards West Point and then Coach (John) Loose, the defensive coordinator at Army, called me up at about three o鈥檆lock and asked what I was thinking.
鈥淎t that point I said why wait? I鈥檓 going to take it.鈥�
Despite all his accolades as a runner, Jackson has no qualms about playing defense for the Black Knights.
鈥淚鈥檓 perfectly fine with that,鈥� Jackson said. 鈥淚 love defense. I鈥檓 always known as the running back, but I love playing linebacker and I love being physical.鈥�
The stress of making a decision on college is now over for Jackson.
鈥淚t鈥檚 definitely a relief,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 have to talk to this coach tonight or that coach tomorrow.
鈥淚t lets you know that hard work pays off with a school that, hopefully, I can bring some leadership to, and do well at.鈥�