Leon Jackson

RB, 6-2, 210, Pasco, Wash. (Pasco HS)

Two-way standout Leon Jackson was one of the top prospects in the Pacific Northwest and comes to Nebraska from Pasco (Wash.) High School. Jackson starred at both running back and defensive back for Coach Steve Graff, helping the team to a state semifinal appearance in 2004. Jackson racked up huge numbers during his senior season, rushing for 1,745 yards and 23 touchdowns on 127 carries. He also caught five passes for 144 yards and a touchdown. He capped his senior season with 189 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries in the state semifinal loss. Jackson’s performance as a senior earned him first-team all-state honors by both the Seattle Times and the Associated Press. Jackson had similar numbers as a junior, rushing for 1,806 yards and 32 touchdowns on 212 carries, with another two scores among his nine receptions. Jackson’s efforts as a junior helped Pasco High to the Class 3A state title and he earned second-team all-state and Big 9 Co-Offensive Player-of-the-Year honors in the process. In his career, Jackson racked up 4,929 yards and averaged a remarkable 10.7 yards per carry. Jackson was a USA Today Preseason Super 25 player and was one of seven Husker recruits who played in the U.S. Army All-American game in January. Jackson also starred in the Pasco secondary and is ranked as the nation’s No. 2 safety prospect by recruiting expert Tom Lemming. Rivals.com lists Jackson as the No. 2 prospect in the state of Washington, the 47th-best overall player in the country and the No. 4 athlete prospect in the country. The honors don’t stop there, as Scout.com lists Jackson No. 16 on its West Hot 100 List, as the No. 12 back in the country and the No. 89 overall prospect in the country. Jackson is ranked as the 11th-best back by College Football News and the No. 4 athlete in the country by SuperPrep Magazine. Jackson’s blazing speed has helped him to honors on the track, as he captured the Class 3A state title in the 100 meters as both a freshman and sophomore, including a 10.74 clocking as a sophomore. He has nine total letters, earning four in football, three in basketball and two in track. Jackson is also involved in the community, helping serve elementary school lunches and working with the Grid Kids football league. Jackson only made an official visit to Nebraska, but chose the Huskers after also receiving offers from Oregon, Oregon State, Washington, Washington State and California. Jackson is the son of Leon Jackson Sr., and Deborah Wright and was born on June 1, 1986.