Jerome Jackson
Encyclopedia
Jerome Alexander Terrell Jackson (born May 15, 1984) is an American football
running back
who is currently a free agent
. After Jackson graduated from the University of Michigan
, he was not selected in the 2007 NFL draft
. He signed with the Browns as an undrafted free agent shortly thereafter.
where he earned a place in the National Honor Society
. He served as the football
team's starter at running back for each of his four-years at the school. He also participated on the school's track and field
team for four years; and, Jackson played basketball
for one season.
Jackson completed high school
with 4,057 career yards rushing and 66 career rushing touchdown
s (TD). As a senior, Jackson established himself as a top high school football player; and, his play on the field helped him earn the Gatorade
Offensive
Player of the Year Award.
In addition to his Gatorade award, Jackson earned a spot on PrepStar Magazine’s All-American list and a High School All-American. Jackson also won a number of other awards and received recognition in many notable magazines; all of which identified Jackson as a top college prospect
.
on an athletic scholarship
. Jackson appeared in 35 games during his time at Michigan. He lettered each of his four years and started two games. His most noteworthy game came against Northwestern
during the 2005 season. In that game, Jackson established a personal best in rushing yards in a single game (105) and rushing attempts in a single game (24). In recognition of his performance and commitments to the football team, the football team named Jackson the co-recipient of the Brandstatter/Beckmann Award, given to the person that "best demonstrates passion, dedication and commitment to the team."
, no team selected him. He did sign with the Cleveland Browns in May; however, his 2007 season was cut short on August 9. That day, the Browns placed Jackson on the injured reserve list after he injured his knee.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
running back
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
who is currently a free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
. After Jackson graduated from the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
, he was not selected in the 2007 NFL draft
2007 NFL Draft
The 2007 National Football League Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 28 and April 29, 2007. The draft was televised for the 28th consecutive year on ESPN and ESPN2. The NFL Network also broadcast coverage of the event, its second year doing so...
. He signed with the Browns as an undrafted free agent shortly thereafter.
Early life
Jackson attended Saginaw High SchoolSaginaw High School
Saginaw High School is located in Saginaw, Michigan, USA. The student enrollment is approximately 746 students....
where he earned a place in the National Honor Society
National Honor Society
The National Honor Society is a recognition program for high school students in grades 10-12 in the United States and in several other countries...
. He served as the football
High school football
High school football, in North America, refers to the game of football as it is played in the United States and Canada. It ranks among the most popular interscholastic sports in both of these nations....
team's starter at running back for each of his four-years at the school. He also participated on the school's track and field
Track and field
Track and field is a sport comprising various competitive athletic contests based around the activities of running, jumping and throwing. The name of the sport derives from the venue for the competitions: a stadium which features an oval running track surrounding a grassy area...
team for four years; and, Jackson played basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
for one season.
Jackson completed high school
Secondary education in the United States
In most jurisdictions, secondary education in the United States refers to the last six or seven years of statutory formal education. Secondary education is generally split between junior high school or middle school, usually beginning with sixth or seventh grade , and high school, beginning with...
with 4,057 career yards rushing and 66 career rushing touchdown
Touchdown
A touchdown is a means of scoring in American and Canadian football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone.-Description:...
s (TD). As a senior, Jackson established himself as a top high school football player; and, his play on the field helped him earn the Gatorade
Gatorade
Gatorade is a brand of sports-themed food and beverage products, built around its signature product: a line of sports drinks. Gatorade is currently manufactured by PepsiCo, distributed in over 80 countries...
Offensive
Offense (sports)
In sports, offense or offence , also known as attack, is the action of attacking or engaging an opposing team with the objective of scoring points or goals...
Player of the Year Award.
In addition to his Gatorade award, Jackson earned a spot on PrepStar Magazine’s All-American list and a High School All-American. Jackson also won a number of other awards and received recognition in many notable magazines; all of which identified Jackson as a top college prospect
Prospect (sports)
In sports, a prospect is any player whose rights are owned by a professional team, but who has yet to play a game for the team, or isn't established with the team yet. Prospects can sometimes be assigned to farm teams...
.
College career
After Jackson graduated from high school, he decided to attend the University of MichiganUniversity of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
on an athletic scholarship
Athletic scholarship
An athletic scholarship is a form of scholarship to attend a college or university awarded to an individual based predominantly on his or her ability to play in a sport...
. Jackson appeared in 35 games during his time at Michigan. He lettered each of his four years and started two games. His most noteworthy game came against Northwestern
2005 Northwestern Wildcats football team
The 2005 Northwestern Wildcats football team represented Northwestern University in the Big Ten Conference during the 2005 NCAA Division I FBS football season.-Schedule:-External Links:*...
during the 2005 season. In that game, Jackson established a personal best in rushing yards in a single game (105) and rushing attempts in a single game (24). In recognition of his performance and commitments to the football team, the football team named Jackson the co-recipient of the Brandstatter/Beckmann Award, given to the person that "best demonstrates passion, dedication and commitment to the team."
Professional career
Although Jackson was eligible for the 2007 NFL draft2007 NFL Draft
The 2007 National Football League Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 28 and April 29, 2007. The draft was televised for the 28th consecutive year on ESPN and ESPN2. The NFL Network also broadcast coverage of the event, its second year doing so...
, no team selected him. He did sign with the Cleveland Browns in May; however, his 2007 season was cut short on August 9. That day, the Browns placed Jackson on the injured reserve list after he injured his knee.