Interview: Prolific 2018 California DE Brennan Jackson Talks Washington State Commit and Workouts

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

When the lights come on, the refs whistles are in hand, and the football is on the tee, college coaches scouting the high school ranks want to see who will step up putting forth max effort play after play dominating the man in front of them. Watching Brennan Jackson terrorize opposing California defenses during the 2016 season, hard to see many college coaches finding room to pause moving him up their recruiting board.

Jackson had a true breakout season during his junior year becoming a force off the edge for Great Oak High School. Prolific stat producing ends are hard to come by, but Jackson made the difficult look easy tallying 88 tackles, 37 solo, 23 tackles for a loss, 10 sacks, one fumble recovery and one forced fumble. Whether he was closing off the edge on his side of the field or running it down going the other way, opposing Division-II California teams always had to game plan for No. 88.

The trouble scheming against Jackson is something 14 total college programs were betting on after scouting the Temecula area product. Cal, San Diego State, Navy, Princeton, Colorado State, UNLV, Yale, New Mexico, Arizona and Iowa State were a few of the schools seeking Jackson’s skills at the next level. On July 13, Washington State was the big winner landing a verbal commitment from the 6-4.5, 240 pound, athlete.

In a Recruiting News Guru stylized interview, I sat down with Jackson covering his off-season workouts with a preview to his senior season while getting the inside scoop on his commitment to Washington State and how the Cougars won him over.

Interview

Brennan, how are your off-season workouts coming along with the team?

“Really good. As a team, we’ve been working hard. I love the fire they have. Our coach made me team captain; I am humbled by that. We have four other captains to help lead the team this year. We are putting in as much work as possible to make sure we have a great season. I feel like this is the best year we’ve had with our team chemistry heading into the season. I’m super excited about what we can do this year.”

What have you been working on to get ready for the season?

“I’ve been mixing it up, but I’ve been doing a lot of lifting. Our coaches want me to work more at tight end this year. I’m perfecting my craft at defensive end too. I’m always working and putting in as much effort as possible to get better.”

Did you go to any college camps this summer?

“I did. I attended a Colorado, Washington, and TCU camp. They were all satellite camps. There was some great competition at each camp. All of them were really good camps.”

Which camp did you do your best?

“The Washington camp was the best. I got fastest man there and I won my one-on-one reps. I feel I did well at all of them but that was my best one.”

After all the camps, on July 13 you announced your verbal commitment to Washington State. Is that when you notified the coaches you were ready to be a Cougar?

“Yes.”

Did you put together a list of top schools?

“No. I did not put out a list.”

Were there any schools that made the decision to WSU even tougher?

“Arizona and Iowa State made it tough. This was a very hard decision. I am blessed with great offers. The recruiting process forced me to think about the future. I really like the players at ISU and Arizona. Both schools would have been great choices. During this process, you have to dig deep and pray about it. This was a really tough decision.”

How did WSU win your commitment? What were some of the factors that led you to the Cougars?

“I love their coaching staff. The program is on the up and up. I have a great relationship with the coaching staff. I think Coach (Mike) Leach is great. I love the campus and the people there, and the facilities were top notch. They were my second offer, that stuck with me. They believed in me from the start. I was comfortable being there.”

Which position are they recruiting you to play?

“Defensive end – a speed end.”

How will you be used in their scheme?

“I think they will use me as edge and pass rusher. They will use my speed and length to get to the quarterback as fast as possible. In the Pac-12, it is a pass happy conference. They want someone that can help shut down the passing game.”

Which coach received your verbal commitment first?

“Coach Ken (Wilson – linebackers). We talked a few hours before I announced. I called all the other coaches that were recruiting me to let them know about my decision. Those were hard phone calls to make.”

How did the coaches respond to your commitment?

“The entire staff celebrated it.”

Nice. Did you do anything to celebrate your commitment?

“No. I worked out with my teammates the next day. Now I can focus on the season and grind with my team. My teammates were super excited for me.”

A couple of minutes ago you mentioned your visit to Pullman, when did you visit the campus?

“During my spring break, back in April.”

You said the facilities were top notch, what else caught your eye on campus?

“The stadium – the stadium is in the center of the campus. Everything is so close knit there. The fans really support the program. I was told how they paint all the four-way intersections in town with a Cougar logo for game days. I thought that was cool.”

When are you going back up there?

“I’m trying to work out plans for an official. I think it will be September, during our bye week.”

Any last thoughts on your commitment?

“I’m super thankful for Washington State, and to all the coaches that have offered me. The entire experience has been awesome. This is something I will remember for the rest of my life.”

Let’s look ahead to the 2017 season. How does the team look going into fall camp?

“We had some coaching staff changes. I feel that everyone is on the same page and our team chemistry is great. We have guys on the team that have been together since Pop Warner. Our last year in Pop Warner we went to Florida for a national championship; we got third in country. Hopefully we can make that kind of run into the playoffs this year.”

What goals have you set for yourself?

“To be the best player I can and do whatever coach asks of me. I want to motivate others and help others to play at our top potential. I can’t wait for the season. I can’t wait to put the pads on again. I’m ready to start hitting people again. I can’t wait.”

Is there a game on the schedule you are excited to play?

“Vista Murrieta. They are a top team in our league. We have not beaten them lately. They have a great roster and a lot of talent over there. I think we can give them a run for their money this year. Temecula Valley is our crosstown rival. We are playing at our house this year. That will be a super fun game.”

Brennan, thanks for your time today and good luck with fall camp and the regular season.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: Jackson family; Brennan Jackson with WSU head coach Mike Leach.

Photo credit: Jackson family; Brennan Jackson at Washington State (April 2017).