Head Coach Irv Strickland knew his 2015 squad was special well-before the fall campaign began thanks in-large to the senior leadership and talent up-and-down the Red Devils’ Roster. Although things didn’t go exactly as planned weeks ten and eleven for the Red Devils, weeks one through nine were a raging success. They were on the verge of making history heading into their rivalry game with Lakeland at 9-0 and a win away from just their third undefeated campaign in their storied past that spans 70-plus years. The sting of losing their rivalry game AND losing the district championship in one swoop was tough and was compounded by the fact they had to travel to Dad’s Stadium to face Plant in the first round.

With many of those seniors playing such important roles, in order to continue the momentum into 2016–somebody has to step-up and fill the void left. Kathleen’s rarely ever lacks for talent year-in, year-out–so leadership is ultimately the biggest aspect that gets highlighted by coach Strickland and his staff. Enter, Jaaron Jackson–a 6-foot-2, 225-pound DE/DT that wants that leadership role and has already done the prep work courtesy of his sponge-like attitude working with those seniors from last season.

Jackson has busted his butt in the weight room and has significantly increased his size since being on campus and has come a long way in just two years. He’s super athletic–as evidenced by his ability to play anywhere you stick him up front. One person that watched a ton of Jackson last season credited him with doing the “dirty work” for the Red Devils–and he’s just a sophomore. Jackson received his first offer from Florida Atlantic at the beginning of March and that’s likely to be the first of many, many offers for the young man.

But as mentioned, it was the leadership role that he wants for this year, and that started at the beginning of last season. “I think my biggest thing this past fall was just trying to do whatever I could to help the team and be a leader.” said Jackson. “It was good to be able to contribute in that fashion and also be able to take-in the coaching I received in learning how to perfect my craft as well.”

Jackson knew his time would come, so he went ahead and honed his leadership skills sooner–rather than later. He mentions the seniors specifically that he looked up to last season, but then went ahead and did what leaders and good teammates do–which was give credit to EVERYONE that helped pave the way for four years to get to that point.

“I really stepped up to the plate and the challenge to learn everything I could from the seniors on the team and how they lead the team–which ultimately led to us well as we did–Guys like Francisco Nelson, Justin Andrews, Taurence Wilson, Jules St. Ge–but pretty much every senior on the team had an impact on the way our season went.”

We mentioned the weight gains during the offseason and regular season, which is a byproduct of him being on the weightlifting team, but his favorite “hobby” actually has a correlation with football. He says it helps him stay in the moment and break it down to one play at a time, one series at a time. Much like the approach (pun intended) needed if you’re playing for high stakes. To be good at this game, you’ve got to have a mental make-up that’s stronger than your physical.

“I’m doing weightlifting and also next year I may be playing golf, because I play it on the side, but it’s really just a hobby for me right now. It helps me really cope with different things and it’s my favorite pastime for sure.”

Jackson knows that the time on the links will be severely limited as we draw closer to spring ball, and he’s good with that–because the plans have already been set in his mind and he’s focused. “To continue to get faster, stronger–and to continue to developing into a leader–finding out better ways to lead and to coach-up the younger guys around me as well.” said Jackson in terms of what he’s working on the most right now.

As far as a preference or a noticeable difference in where he plays along the line–Jackson could care less. He just had a one-track mind at this moment. “Pretty much wherever a coach tells to play at (along the defensive line)–I’m just going to go play that, because if it’s going to better the team, that’s what I’m down for.” said Jackson. “There’s not really a difference, I just know that–once the whistle blows–I know to go.”

Jackson also says genuinely loves going to school and loves all his classes. And just like a good leader, he has a plan. If golf helps him prepare mentally, then his love of being in the weight room will help him further his education and potential career path.

“I’m thinking Sports Medicine right now, but I really want to be a Strength and Conditioning coach one day.”