Cory Jackson
Encyclopedia
Cory Jackson is an American football
fullback
who is currently a member of the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League. He was signed by the San Diego Chargers
as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He played college football
at Maryland
.
to parents Terrence and Melissa Jackson. His father played football and baseball at Yale
, and his brother, Todd, played football at West Virginia
. Cory Jackson attended University High School
, and was a four-year starter on the football
team as a linebacker
, tailback
, and defensive end
. As a junior in 2004, he recorded almost 1,000 rushing
yards and more than 100 tackles
. During his senior year in 2005, Jackson recorded 1,307 rushing yards and 17 touchdown
s, 161 tackles, two quarterback sack
s, one interception, and two fumble
recoveries.
As a sophomore, he was named a second-team all-state defensive lineman. As a junior and senior, he was named a first-team all-state player. He was also named the conference player of the year as a senior. ESPN
assessed Jackson as the 12th-ranked inside linebacker in the nation. PrepStar named him an All-American. Rivals.com
ranked him as the second-best player in West Virginia. He was recruited by Maryland, Stanford
, NC State, Iowa
, and West Virginia.
where he earned a degree in communications and was a four-year letterman in football. In 2006
, true freshman Jackson saw action in all 13 games including three starts. When starting fullback Tim Cesa was injured, Jackson replaced him for the season's final four games. He also played a role on special teams. He rushed four times for 12 yards and a touchdown and caught four passes for 46 yards.
In 2007
, Jackson played in 12 games including eight starts. He recorded five tackles on special teams. He was also integral in allowing tailbacks Lance Ball
and Keon Lattimore
to rush for a combined total of almost 1,600 yards and 25 touchdowns. After suffering a broken hand, Jackson missed one game.
In 2008
, he played in all 13 games including six starts. He recorded five solo tackles, one forced fumble, three carries for four yards, 12 receptions for 106 yards, and one kick return for nine yards. He again was critical in the offensive backfield, opening up holes for running backs such as Da'Rel Scott
who rushed for 1,133 yards. Maryland head coach Ralph Friedgen
said, "[Cory Jackson] might be our MVP and unsung hero ... He does all the dirty work. When he's playing well, we're playing well. It definitely had an impact on our running game." Defensive end Jeremy Navarre
compared Jackson's playing style to that of a defensive player and said, "I don't think fullback Cory would want to go against Cory the linebacker ... He's a tough guy. He always comes out with a bloody nose or something."
In 2009
, Jackson saw action in all twelve games as a fullback, including eight starts, and on special teams. Although serving mostly as a blocker, he also compiled three carries for 14 yards and six pass receptions for 46 yards. Pro Football Weekly
named Jackson an honorable mention All-American
. The CBS Sports
-affiliated NFL Draft Scout rated Jackson as the number-two fullback prospect for the 2010 NFL Draft
.
as an undrafted free agent following the 2010 NFL Draft
on April 27, 2010. He was waived on June 21.
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...
fullback
Fullback (American football)
A fullback is a position in the offensive backfield in American and Canadian football, and is one of the two running back positions along with the halfback...
who is currently a member of the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League. He was signed by the San Diego Chargers
San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at Maryland
Maryland Terrapins football
The Maryland Terrapins football team represents the University of Maryland in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision competition. The Terrapins compete within the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
.
Early years
Jackson was born in Morgantown, West VirginiaMorgantown, West Virginia
Morgantown is a city in Monongalia County, West Virginia. It is the county seat of Monongalia County. Placed along the banks of the Monongahela River, Morgantown is the largest city in North-Central West Virginia, and the base of the Morgantown metropolitan area...
to parents Terrence and Melissa Jackson. His father played football and baseball at Yale
Yale Bulldogs football
The Yale Bulldogs football program represents Yale University in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision . Yale's football program is one of the oldest in the world, having begun competing in the sport in 1872...
, and his brother, Todd, played football at West Virginia
West Virginia Mountaineers football
The West Virginia Mountaineers football team represents West Virginia University in the NCAA FBS division of college football. Dana Holgorsen is the team's 33rd head coach. He has held the position since he was promoted in June 2011 after the resignation of Bill Stewart. The Mountaineers play their...
. Cory Jackson attended University High School
University High School (Morgantown)
University High School is a high school located in Morgantown, West Virginia that houses just over 1,250 students. The school mascot is the hawk and the school colors are scarlet red, old gold, and black.-History:...
, and was a four-year starter on 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 as a linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
, tailback
Tailback
Tailback can mean:* Halfback * A line of motor vehicles caught up in traffic congestion; a traffic jam...
, and defensive end
Defensive end
Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
. As a junior in 2004, he recorded almost 1,000 rushing
Rush (American football)
Rushing has two different meanings in gridiron football .-Offense:The first is an action taken by the offensive team that means to advance the ball by running, as opposed to passing. A run is technically any play that does not involve a forward pass...
yards and more than 100 tackles
Tackle (football move)
Most forms of football have a move known as a tackle. The primary purposes of tackling is to disposses an opponent of the ball, to stop the player from gaining ground towards goal or to stop them from carrying out what they intend....
. During his senior year in 2005, Jackson recorded 1,307 rushing yards and 17 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, 161 tackles, two quarterback sack
Quarterback sack
In American football and Canadian football, a sack occurs when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage before he can throw a forward pass, or when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage in the "pocket" and the intent of what he was going to do is unclear...
s, one interception, and two fumble
Fumble
A fumble in American and Canadian football occurs when a player, who has possession and control of the ball loses it before being downed or scoring. By rule, it is any act other than passing, kicking or successful handing that results in loss of player possession...
recoveries.
As a sophomore, he was named a second-team all-state defensive lineman. As a junior and senior, he was named a first-team all-state player. He was also named the conference player of the year as a senior. ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
assessed Jackson as the 12th-ranked inside linebacker in the nation. PrepStar named him an All-American. Rivals.com
Rivals.com
Rivals.com is a network of websites that focus mainly on college football and basketball recruiting. The network was started in 1996 and currently employs more than 300 personnel.-Schools:The individual collegiate sites can be found...
ranked him as the second-best player in West Virginia. He was recruited by Maryland, Stanford
Stanford Cardinal football
The Stanford Cardinal football program represents Stanford University in college football at the NCAA Division I FBS level and is a member of the Pac-12 Conference's North Division. Stanford, the top-ranked academic institution with an FBS program, has a highly successful football tradition. The...
, NC State, Iowa
Iowa Hawkeyes football
The Iowa Hawkeyes football team is the interscholastic football team at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. The Hawkeyes have competed in the Big Ten Conference since 1900, and are currently a Division I Football Bowl Subdivision member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
, and West Virginia.
College career
Jackson attended the University of MarylandUniversity of Maryland, College Park
The University of Maryland, College Park is a top-ranked public research university located in the city of College Park in Prince George's County, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C...
where he earned a degree in communications and was a four-year letterman in football. In 2006
2006 Maryland Terrapins football team
The 2006 Maryland Terrapins football team represented the University of Maryland in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football season. It was the Terrapins' 54th season as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference and its second within the...
, true freshman Jackson saw action in all 13 games including three starts. When starting fullback Tim Cesa was injured, Jackson replaced him for the season's final four games. He also played a role on special teams. He rushed four times for 12 yards and a touchdown and caught four passes for 46 yards.
In 2007
2007 Maryland Terrapins football team
The 2007 Maryland Terrapins football team represented the University of Maryland in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football season. It was the Terrapins' 55th season as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference and its third within the...
, Jackson played in 12 games including eight starts. He recorded five tackles on special teams. He was also integral in allowing tailbacks Lance Ball
Lance Ball
Lance Ball is an American football running back who is a member of the Denver Broncos of the National Football League. He was signed by the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
and Keon Lattimore
Keon Lattimore
Keon Lattimore is an American football running back who is currently an NFL free agent and also played for the Trenton Steel in the SIFL. He was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Maryland.Lattimore has also been a member of the...
to rush for a combined total of almost 1,600 yards and 25 touchdowns. After suffering a broken hand, Jackson missed one game.
In 2008
2008 Maryland Terrapins football team
The 2008 Maryland Terrapins football team represented the University of Maryland in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football season...
, he played in all 13 games including six starts. He recorded five solo tackles, one forced fumble, three carries for four yards, 12 receptions for 106 yards, and one kick return for nine yards. He again was critical in the offensive backfield, opening up holes for running backs such as Da'Rel Scott
Da'Rel Scott
Da'Rel Scott is an American football running back for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was the starting running back for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland...
who rushed for 1,133 yards. Maryland head coach Ralph Friedgen
Ralph Friedgen
Ralph Harry Friedgen is an American football coach. He was the head coach at the University of Maryland from 2001 to 2010. Friedgen was previously an offensive coordinator at Maryland, Georgia Tech, and in the National Football League with the San Diego Chargers...
said, "[Cory Jackson] might be our MVP and unsung hero ... He does all the dirty work. When he's playing well, we're playing well. It definitely had an impact on our running game." Defensive end Jeremy Navarre
Jeremy Navarre
Jeremy Navarre is an American football defensive end for the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League. He was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent in 2009...
compared Jackson's playing style to that of a defensive player and said, "I don't think fullback Cory would want to go against Cory the linebacker ... He's a tough guy. He always comes out with a bloody nose or something."
In 2009
2009 Maryland Terrapins football team
The 2009 Maryland Terrapins football team represented the University of Maryland during its 57th season in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Terrapins played in the Atlantic Division of the conference, and competed against all five divisional opponents, two Coastal Division opponents on a...
, Jackson saw action in all twelve games as a fullback, including eight starts, and on special teams. Although serving mostly as a blocker, he also compiled three carries for 14 yards and six pass receptions for 46 yards. Pro Football Weekly
Pro Football Weekly
Pro Football Weekly is an American sports magazine, founded in 1967, that covers the National Football League...
named Jackson an honorable mention All-American
2009 College Football All-America Team
An All-American team is an honorary sports team for a specific season composed of the best amateur players at each position—who in turn are given the honorific "All-America" and typically referred to as "All-American athletes", or simply "All-Americans". Although the honorees generally do not...
. The CBS Sports
CBS Sports
CBS Sports is a division of CBS Broadcasting which airs sporting events on the American television network. Its headquarters are in the CBS Building on West 52nd Street in midtown Manhattan, New York City, with programs produced out of Studio 43 at the CBS Broadcast Center on West 57th Street.CBS...
-affiliated NFL Draft Scout rated Jackson as the number-two fullback prospect for the 2010 NFL Draft
2010 NFL Draft
The 2010 NFL Draft was the 75th annual meeting of National Football League franchises to select newly eligible football players. Unlike previous years, the 2010 draft took place over three days, at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, with the first round on Thursday, April 22, 2010, at 7:30 pm...
.
San Diego Chargers
Jackson was signed by the San Diego ChargersSan Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
as an undrafted free agent following the 2010 NFL Draft
2010 NFL Draft
The 2010 NFL Draft was the 75th annual meeting of National Football League franchises to select newly eligible football players. Unlike previous years, the 2010 draft took place over three days, at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, with the first round on Thursday, April 22, 2010, at 7:30 pm...
on April 27, 2010. He was waived on June 21.