Tarron Jackson
Defensive End / Coastal Carolina

Alex Khvatov:  What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?

Tarron Jackson:  I am 6’2 ½ and 265 pounds.  I was 273 at my junior pro day.  My arm length was 33 ½.  My sophomore year, I ran a 4.68 and a 4.72.    

Alex Khvatov:  How were you preparing for the 2020 season with no offseason training?

Tarron Jackson:  We had to improvise.  Our coach had an extra weight rack.  We have been going there.  I do yoga and work on my flexibility.  I have been running on the field close by.    

Alex Khvatov:  Besides football, what other sports did you play in high school?

Tarron Jackson:  In high school, I played basketball and ran track.  I did the long jump, triple jump and shot put.    

Alex Khvatov:  What positions did you play in high school? 

Tarron Jackson:  I played Will LB and middle LB.  As a senior, I played DE.    

Alex Khvatov:  Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in you?

Tarron Jackson:  I didn’t have any big time D-I schools.  I was coming from a small high school.   

Alex Khvatov:  How did you wind up at Coastal Carolina? 

Tarron Jackson: They showed interest my junior year.  They were transitioning to the Sun Belt.  I took a visit.  It was a brotherhood.  I fell in love with it. 

Alex Khvatov:  Tell us about your overall career.         

Tarron Jackson:  My freshman year, I played in the first four games.  Then I had a high ankle sprain and I took a medical redshirt year.  I had a couple of sacks during that first year.  During my redshirt freshman year, I honed in and put in a lot of hard work.  I was a captain for a couple of games.  I played in the first six games and had three sacks and 20 tackles.  I got an injury.  I had a deep thigh contusion.  I tried to play through it.  I was the strength and conditioning player of the year as a redshirt freshman.  I have made the Dean’s list three out of the four semesters.  During my redshirt sophomore year, I took a big step forward.  I had 58 tackles, 11 TFL’s and three sacks.  I was third-team all-conference.  During my junior year, I had 10 sacks and 68 tackles.  My understanding of the game grew a lot.  I had my best year. 

Alex Khvatov:  What can we expect from Coastal Carolina this upcoming season? 

Tarron Jackson:  Win the Sun Belt championship.  I know the potential that we have.  We had a lot of close games last year.  This year, we are coming back healthy.  We have all seven guys coming back up front.  There is a lot of leadership. 

Alex Khvatov:  What are your strengths?

Tarron Jackson:  My first step and explosiveness.  My hands, my ability to disengage from the O-linemen and turn the corner.  My effort.  I am always running to the ball.   

Alex Khvatov:  What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon?

Tarron Jackson:  Every aspect of my game.  My main aspects are my flexibility and consistency in the run.  I also need to clean up my pass rush moves.    

Alex Khvatov:  What is the highlight of your career up to this point?

Tarron Jackson:  The Troy game this past year.  It was a shootout.  We won the game by one point.  The Texas State game where I had three sacks.    

Alex Khvatov:  What is your favorite NFL team? 

Tarron Jackson:  Actually, I am a Patriots fan.  Tom Brady is my guy.    

Alex Khvatov:  Who is your favorite NFL player?

Tarron Jackson:  DeMarcus Lawrence and Khalil Mack. 

Alex Khvatov:  What players on your team should we keep an eye on for this upcoming season?

Tarron Jackson:  Defensively, DL C.J. Brewer should have a big year.  Jeffrey Gunter is returning.  LB Silas Kelly is coming back from an injury.  LB Teddy Gallagher, S Enock Makonzo and JUCO transfer CB D’Jordan Strong should have a big year.  On offense, RB CJ Marable should have a great year.  Our QB Fred Payton and C Trey Carter.  WR Kameron Brown is a transfer from Charleston Southern, WR Jaivon Heiligh and slot WR Aaron Bedgood.    

Alex Khvatov:  Who is the best player that you have faced on an opposing team?

Tarron Jackson:  Robert Hunt from Louisiana Lafayette.  He was a second round pick by the Dolphins.   

Alex Khvatov:  What is the most important trait for a DL?

Tarron Jackson:  A defensive lineman needs to have a great motor and great hands.  You have to know how to use your hands. 

Alex Khvatov:  What do you enjoy most about football?

Tarron Jackson:  Just battling out it with my teammates.  Seeing myself and my teammates flourish.    

Alex Khvatov:  What are your hobbies?

Tarron Jackson:  My family remodels houses.  I have learned about the industry and I read books about it.  I am also a math guy.  Stock market is something that interests me.  I graduated last May.  My major was mathematics and my minor was in applied science. 

Alex Khvatov:  What do you want to do with your life after your football career is over?

Tarron Jackson:  Get into real estate and flip houses.  I want to turn it into something great. 

Alex Khvatov:  What is your definition of a leader?

Tarron Jackson:  Someone who leads by example.  Someone who is humble and explain why stuff happens.  You have to be a great role model.    

Alex Khvatov:  What five words best describe you?

Tarron Jackson:  Hard working, perseverance, understanding, relentless, and intelligent.