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Cal Sports Report

Cal Transfer QB Sam Jackson V Signs With Auburn

Jackson is expected to switch to wide receiver with the Tigers, who host Cal next season
Jake Curtis|
Cal Transfer QB Sam Jackson V Signs With Auburn
Cal Transfer QB Sam Jackson V Signs With Auburn

Quarterback Sam Jackson V transferred from Cal after just one season, but the Golden Bears may face Jackson next season, because he has signed with Auburn, according to the Tigers' social media site on Wednesday. However, he likely will be playing a different position.

Jackson played against Auburn this past season, and Auburn will host Cal next season in the second game of the season on September 7.

Ben Finley was Cal's starting quarterback in this season's game against Auburn in Berkeley, but Jackson replaced him and was more productive than Finley, although the Bears still suffered a 14-10 defeat.  Jackson was 14-for-27 for 129 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions in that game.

Jackson played a number of positions at Naperville Central High School in the suburbs of Chicago. That included switching from quarterback to receiver because of the presence of current Auburn quarterback Payton Thorne at Naperville Central.

So now Jackson will reunite with his former high school teammate as a passing combination.  For now, it appears Thorne will be Auburn's quarterback next season.

Thorne was just 9-for-14 for 94 yards, two touchdowns and one interception against Cal this past season, but he improved over the course of the season for Auburn, which is 6-6 with a bowl game to play.

Jackson was Cal's starting quarterback in its season-opening win over North Texas, and he started three games for the Bears before redshirt freshman Fernando Mendoza took over in the sixth game of the season. Jackson completed 52.6% of his passes for the season and had five TD passes with two interceptions. He also ran for 59 yards, and he and Jaydn Ott were considered the fastest players on the team.

The 5-foot-10 Jackson began his college career at TCU and was a quarterback for two seasons with the Horned Frogs, although he got only limited playing time.

Cover photo of Sam Jackson V by Robert Edwards, USA TODAY Sports

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Jake Curtis
JAKE CURTIS

Jake Curtis worked in the San Francisco Chronicle sports department for 27 years, covering virtually every sport, including numerous Final Fours, several college football national championship games, an NBA Finals, world championship boxing matches and a World Cup. He was a Cal beat writer for many of those years, and won awards for his feature stories.

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