TJ Jackson Follows Love of Football, Fondness of "Hitting People" to Virginia Tech

For Cumberland offensive tackle TJ Jackson, playing college football will soon be a reality, a few years after he discovered his one true love.

"I didn't want to play, but once I played my first time, I fell in love. Football was the sport I wanted to play on the collegiate level. ... I like hitting people."

Jackson gave his verbal commitment to play at Virginia Tech on Monday night. Jackson announced his decision on his Instagram.

"Yesterday afternoon I was in class, and they called me to the office and I got on the phone with them, and they offered me a full ride," Jackson said. So I was like, 'Man, this is crazy.' I talked to my parents, and I committed last night."

Virginia Tech had Jackson on its board prior to the announcement of head coach Justin Fuente — he visited Tech unofficially over the summer and for the Duke game — but the Hokies' interest in Jackson ramped up over the last month. Fuente and offensive line coach Vance Vice spearheaded Jackson's recruitment.

"He was a real nice guy," Jackson said of Vice, who observed Jackson's basketball practice last week. "What he says is what he means. I really like him as a coach. He treated me like we were friends. He's a real cool guy. He gets you as a person, and not just as a player."

"Amazing," is how Jackson summarized his initial impression of Fuente, and Fuente's reputation for player development helped secure Jackson's pledge.

"[At Memphis] he took players that nobody knew about really and molded them into stars. Coming from Cumberland where nobody knows where that's at, it's pretty nice to get to talk to someone like him, and I'm just thankful for him to actually be interested in me as a player."

Even at 6-9, Jackson slipped under the radar of most colleges. And that's for good reason. His senior year at Cumberland was his first devoted in earnest to learning offensive tackle. As a svelter sophomore in the 6-5, 250 range he played d-tackle, d-end and even some tight end at Fuqua School (Farmville, Virginia). He then transferred Wesleyan Christian Academy (High Point, North Carolina) to focus on basketball before arriving at Cumberland.

"Being under the radar was kind of a blessing and a curse," said Jackson who also received scholarship offers from N.C. State, Norfolk State, and VMI. "Nobody really knew about me, but I knew my talent could take me real far with my size. When Virginia Tech found out about me, I was pretty amazed. 'How did they find out about me here?' Now I have to show everybody who I am."

To accomplish that, Jackson knows he'll have to "hit the weights" and absorb Vice's every instruction.

"I want to get stronger, and [get better] technique wise," Jackson said. "I was always blessed as a big guy to move real quick. I'm a fast guy for my size."

"TJ has exceptional agility for a young man of his size," said Cumberland head coach Edgar Knapp via email. "He moves incredibly well. It allows him to be very active at OT. His reach is very long and combined with his speed he becomes a powerful blocker. Because TJ has really only been playing football for 3 years, the intensive coaching he'll receive at the next level will improve on his technique across the board."

"When you look at a guy who is 6'9" tall and 335 pounds, he immediately became our left tackle," Knapp added. "He has long arms and agility and we knew he would project out at that position at the next level. We wanted him to get as much exposure at the position as possible. He has great hands and could likely play TE."

Even though Jackson is destined for a career in the trenches, he has no issue with playing a snap or two at tight end — his "dream position".

"I wouldn't mind if they threw in one play, you know, I'd be happy," Jackson said. "I'll score for them, if they want it, I'll score it."