Utes on the rise: Running Back Ja'Quinden Jackson
With the 2022 Utah Football season now fully in the rear-view mirror and spring ball not too far off, it's time to reflect and review on the notable performances from this past year.
While players like Cameron Rising, Dalton Kincaid, Clark Phillips III and Cole Bishop made a lot of the big plays, there were a handful of younger players who made notable contributions and are certainly on the rise for 2023.
The following is a recap and analysis of freshman Ja'Quinden Jackson, his 2022 contributions, and what potential may lie in store.
Utah Utes running back Ja'Quinden Jackson (3) carries the ball for a touchdown the third quarter against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field.
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports.
What Jackson did this past season was perhaps the best story in college football. After losing the QB2, rather than turning inward or considering the transfer portal, Jackson accepted a new challenge following a series of injuries on the team, and the Utes struck gold.
In his first season at running back, Jackson finished with 531 yards and nine touchdowns (team-high) on 78 carries (6.8 average, highest on the team amongst those with more than 17 carries).
From this offensive production, Jackson strung together notable performances such as a career-high 117 yards and three touchdowns against Colorado, a pivotal 105 yards and two touchdowns against USC in the Pac-12 Championship and was one of the only bright spots in the Rose Bowl with 81 yards and a touchdown.
While it took Jackson a few games to really settle in, he quickly reached an elite level and looked comfortable out of the backfield. As demonstrated in the final six games of the season, the combination of Jackson's size, speed, strength and just a natural feel for the position allowed him to excel and become an integral part of Utah's offense.
It's also important to note that over the last three games of the year, Jackson posted 303 yards on 36 carries (8.41 average).
Looking ahead to the future, Jackson should be stepping into the RB1 spot next season and receiving a majority of the carries. With what he demonstrated so quickly after making the change, an entire offseason of preparation will greatly benefit JJ's development and 2023 could be a massive year for him if he continues to post similar numbers.
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