SAN DIEGO, Calif. - Eastern Oregon University graduate, Jordyn Jackson, is now a member of the National Football League with the San Diego Chargers.
Fellow Mountaineer senior, Terrence Pharr, had the chance to talk with Jackson on this big day. The teammates and friends shared their question and answer session with EOUSports.com. Below is the conversation Pharr had with Jackson.
Eastern Oregon graduate and stand out receiver Jordyn Jackson receives a once in a lifetime opportunity to play in the NFL for the San Diego Chargers franchise.
Jackson's road to becoming a starting NFL receiver is far from over, but he is no stranger to adversity. He spent his freshman season at Western Washington University and saw a lot of time on the field as running back. Soon after the season was over Jackson took some time away from school and ball for private reasons.
Jackson then came to EOU and played his sophomore and junior years in a running back position, he didn't switch to receiver until his senior year. Often times you see, even great athletes, fail at making the switch from receiver to running back. He embraced the role of a receiver and really got a chance to show off his athletic ability and while only having 60 receptions in 2009, Jackson had 848 yards receiving, 10 touchdowns, and averaged 14.1 yards every time he touched the ball.
I had a chance to talk with Jordyn and get his feelings and thoughts in the Q & A below on his transformation from Mountie to Charger:
Q: Describe to me how it felt when you got that phone call saying "you're officially a charger"
A: "It was simply overwhelming and exciting at the same time. My mom was sitting next to me and she started crying at that point it was surreal, like it wasn't happening."
Q: What workouts did you do for the chargers scout?
A: "I basically had to go through a combine, bench, vertical, routs, shuttle drill everything you would do in a combine.”
Q: What did they say they liked about your game?
A: "They liked my strength and size for a slot receiver and the aggressiveness in my game. When the scout called, they said: "you've worked really hard and your hard work stands out."
Q: Describe how hard or easy it was for you to get in the position you're in.
A: "It took a lot, networking knowing the right people. It was a long process. I've been working out intensely with a personal trainer for two months. Easy is not a word for anything that has to do with this process. Every day I would get off work and go to the gym for two hours to work out with my trainer. There are a lot of ups and downs in the process. You never know what could happen, but all my work paid off."
Q: Anything else you would like to say?
A: "I wouldn't be able to do this without EOU and my coaches. We as players and Coach Camp and his staff really changed the program around I'm glad I got to be a part of EOU's football family. It was a great experience at Eastern."
