Kordell Jackson

Cornerback / Austin Peay State

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

Kordell Jackson:  I am 5’9 and 190.   

Alex Khvatov:  How did you prepare for the 2020 season with no offseason training?

Kordell Jackson:  I worked out with my lifelong trainer Otis Leverette in Birmingham, Alabama.  I have been training with him since my freshman year of high school.   

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

Kordell Jackson:  I played basketball the first two or three years.  I played soccer for three years.  I ran track.  I did bowling my senior year.  I have been bowling all of my life.   

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

Kordell Jackson:  Freshman year, I played QB.  Then I played receiver, CB, safety and returner.  I was primarily a DB.      

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

Kordell Jackson:  I didn’t have many offers.  I had a total of five offers.  Austin Peay was my first offer.  They offered me the day before the championship game.  We won that game.  North Alabama was my other school.   

Alex Khvatov:  How did you wind up at Austin Peay State? 

Kordell Jackson:  I came on my visit.  It was very family-oriented.  We jelled.  The coaching staff showed so much interest in me.   

Alex Khvatov:  How would you describe your overall career?      

Kordell Jackson:  I was an honorable mention freshman All-American during my freshman year at CB.  As a team, we went 7-4 that year.  Sophomore year, I moved to nickel and adapted to the new position.  We had a losing season my sophomore year.  Junior year, it was more my mindset.  The new coaching staff helped me a lot.  We all had to buy in.  Coach was giving me more knowledge about film study.  I had seven picks and returned two of them for TD’s.  I was a consensus All-American.  We went 11-2 during my junior year.  I have also played special teams all three years.    

Alex Khvatov:  What can we expect from your team this upcoming season? 

Kordell Jackson:  Definitely win a national championship.  We will take it game by game.  We want to defend our conference championship.       

Alex Khvatov:  What are your strengths?

Kordell Jackson:  I do everything.  I can tackle and cover.  Off man coverage is my strength because we run it most of the time. 

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

Kordell Jackson:  If I want to play at the next level, I need to work on my speed and get better with my technique.

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

Kordell Jackson:  Definitely the comeback win against EKU last year.  If we lost that game, we wouldn’t have made it to the playoffs.  I had an INT, and we got the team win.   

Alex Khvatov:  What is the biggest lesson that you have taken away from your coaching staff? 

Kordell Jackson:  No player is bigger than the team. 

Alex Khvatov:  Who is your favorite NFL player?

Kordell Jackson:  Tyrann Mathieu.  We have the same size and play the same style.   

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

Kordell Jackson:  WR DeAngelo Wilson and WR Baniko Harley.  On defense, DE Matthew Gayle and DT Josephus Smith.  WR Geordon Pollard is an underclassman.      

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

Kordell Jackson:  WR Chris Rowland from Tennessee State.

Alex Khvatov:  Tell me about your teammate WR DeAngelo Wilson. 

Kordell Jackson:  He has great speed, great hands and runs smooth routes.  I go against him every day in practice.  He is one of the most versatile receivers.  He has made me better.     

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

Kordell Jackson:  Patience at the line of scrimmage.  You have to be patient with your technique, stay square in off or press coverage.   

Alex Khvatov:  What do you enjoy most about football?

Kordell Jackson:  I love the game.  Seeing the crowd and the bond with my teammates.   

Alex Khvatov:  What are your hobbies?

Kordell Jackson:  I play video games. 

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

Kordell Jackson:  Coaching in CFB.  My major is in health and human performance with a minor in coaching.   

Alex Khvatov:  What makes you unique?

Kordell Jackson:  I never give up or quit. 

Alex Khvatov:  What five words best describe you?

Kordell Jackson:  Persistent, confident, loving, funny, and hardworking.