We're quickly running out of words to describe sophomore Adoree' Jackson, who played with the offense for the first time this camp during Wednesday's practice. Taking turns as both a wide receiver and running back, Jackson made one spectacular play after another all morning...
- "I thought he looked really good today," head coach Steve Sarkisian said afterwards. "It felt like every time he touched the ball he might have scored. That's what it should feel like. It's why we're using him on offense."
- Jackson (pictured) played "only" three positions for the offense during practice, lining up in the slot, at running back and even stretching the field for a diving, back of the end zone reception as an outside receiver. "When I'm out there I feel like I'm at home," the sophomore said with an enormous smile. "I have a lot of fun when I'm on the offensive side of the ball because you get to do spectacular things. You get the momentum going and get your teammates excited."
- Quarterback Cody Kessler enjoys having Jackson on his side of the ball because of the versatility it offers his offense. "He's a really dynamic player and he can do so many different things. He's that guy that you can't really scout. He does everything. He always seems to make things happen."
-
-thumb-400x266-53536.jpg)
Though it's tempting to want to see Jackson in his huddle all game, Kessler said he's increasingly in support of watching the playmaker from the sidelines instead. "I love him on offense, but I know how difficult it is to go against him on defense, and I love knowing that other quarterbacks see that too. You have to throw the ball pretty much perfect every time when he's playing coverage and that really stresses out the quarterback."
- According to Sarkisian, one of the most difficult tasks is figuring out when and where the team needs Jackson the most. Much of the determination regarding the number of snaps he'll play on offense and defense during games will depend on specific opponents. "We're trying to figure it out, we're trying to do it right," Sarkisian explained. "We're trying to do what's best for the team but we know Adoree' will play some offense."
- Incredible catches aside, the head coach was mainly impressed with Jackson's preparation in his first day on the opposite side of the ball. The sophomore explained that switching back and forth requires shaking off a little rust, but is something he's always ready for. "I knew Sark was going to get into me if I did play bad," Jackson said. "When I first got out here, I dropped those two passes in warm ups and he was almost going to send me back to defense. I know I can't take it for granted because I know I have to be out here and do what I have to do or else someone else will."
- Tempo continues to be a focus for the Trojans, now in the second year of Sarkisian's faster system. With the install phase of camp behind them, the head coach believes his team will really start picking up the pace.
- After reviewing film from Monday's scrimmage, Sarkisian noted the strength of his defensive line especially when playing at a low pad level. On the opposite side of the ball, the head coach did note the couple interceptions Kessler threw but believes practice is the best place for the redshirt senior to work out those mistakes. "We really believe our practice field is the most competitive practice field in America. You're going to go against good players," Sarkisian elaborated. "When you're off a little bit, the good players are going to make you pay."
- From the quarterback's perspective, the biggest thing that stood out from Monday's film was the performance of his wide receiver corps. "JuJu was a guy who stood out to me," Kessler said. "He caught a touchdown on the first drive and made some plays that were pretty critical there. That's what you expect from him coming into this year. It was really cool to see Steven Mitchell make a lot of plays too."
- Wrapping up the day's extensive practice report, Sarkisian announced that redshirt junior TE Jalen Cope-Fitzpatrick will be focusing on academics this fall and will not join the team until the spring.
- Injury updates: Redshirt junior DT Jordan Simmons has swelling in his knee and will sit out practice until it goes down. Redshirt senior DE Claude Pelon has a sprained knee which will be scoped tomorrow to ensure it is not a more serious injury.
- Here is Sarkisian after the morning practice...
