PISCATAWAY, N.J. — This time last year, JaQuae Jackson was playing for California University of Pennsylvania in Division II. On Saturday night, Jackson led Rutgers in receptions and receiving yards, helping the Big Ten program to their second win of the season.
Jackson finished with four catches for 95 yards as Rutgers pulled away late from Temple in a 36-7 win.
Rutgers had to fend off some strong competition including Texas A&M, Michigan State, Colorado, Georgia Tech, Miami, Pittsburgh and West Virginia to land Jackson.
The reason for all the Power Five offers was seen last season for Cal where he had 77 catches for 1,178 yards and 13 touchdowns. He is a good route runner and explosive in the open field.
Jackson picked Rutgers in part because of [autotag]Dave Brock[/autotag], hired by Rutgers this offseason as their wide receivers coach. A former assistant coach in the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons, Brock’s experience helped sell Jackson on Rutgers.
“I can’t say enough about coach Brock,” Jackson said.
“Coach Brock like is really taking my game and excelling my game every single day – help best prepare me just with everything
“Just a littlest detail, like the slightest littlest detail you know, helping me just grow every day as a player. I can’t thank him enough. And coach Perry (John Perry) too, as well as the receivers.”
In part, Jackson came to Rutgers for his final season of eligibility to test himself at the FBS level. On Saturday night under the lights, he certainly stepped up.
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Jackson looked dangerous every time he got the ball. He has created a good connection with quarterback Gavin Wimsat.
“It was a great environment. You notice it’s something I’ve been wanting to do, something I’ve been dreaming of since a kid you know,” Jackson said.
“So I’m just very blessed and humbled just to be here and be in this position.”
Last week in a win over Northwestern, Jackson had one catch for four yards. He certainly stepped up against Temple, including a big 61-yard connection in the second quarter.
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Following the game, head coach Greg Schiano singled out Jackson in his press conference. After taking his final question, which was not about Jackson, he began talking about the wide receiver’s impact.
“JaQuae Jackson, the performance that he had tonight, I’ve seen that coming but you guys have not been able to see that coming because he missed some of camp,” Schiano said.
“But I was really pleased with him. I think that that was something we needed. That was a shot in the arm we needed.”