#4 Joe Jackson — Could this be the season for redshirt freshman running back Joe Jackson (4) to break through and see some serious playing time? Maybe, but he’s likely behind both DJ Giddens and Dylan Edwards on the depth chart, so it will be an uphill battle. | Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

In which BracketCat counts down the fourth day until the 2024 kickoff with a profile of Kansas State running back Joe Jackson.

Goal No. 4: IMPROVE. Every day… as a player, person and student.

#4 Joe Jackson

Redshirt Freshman | 6-0 | 203 lbs. | Haines City, Florida

Position: Running Back
Previous College: None
Projection: Third-String
Status: On Scholarship

Joseph Jackson Jr. (b. Oct. 4, 2004) is an electric running back from Ridge Community High School in Davenport/Haines City, Florida, who is majoring in kinesiology.

Jackson played in two games in 2023, seeing time as a reserve running back against SEMO and on kickoff returns against NC State.

He had four carries against SEMO, including a long rush of 5 yards.

I predict Jackson will contribute more this season on at least some occasions, given he has earned praise from coaches such as Van Malone after both the 2024 spring and fall camps:

Joe Jackson is a younger guy, and man, we’ve seen great potential in him, but now is an opportunity for Joe Jackson. There’s no more redshirting, now he’s going to get his opportunity. Those are kinds of excited guys I’ve seen, guys who know that they’re getting their opportunity, and it’s coming, and it’s right in front of them. They just want to make the most of the opportunities.

Joe… I’ve been impressed with what he’s done this fall camp, not only at running back, but what he’s done as a special teams player. He’s really developed, really improved over being just a little young kid running around. So, I’ve been impressed with him.

Jackson prepped under head coach Carl White at Ridge Community, where he was regarded as the 514th-best overall prospect in the Class of 2023 by On3 Consensus.

He was rated the 14th-best all-purpose running back prospect in the nation by Rivals, while ESPN ranked him the 67th-best overall prospect in the state of Florida.

Jackson also was rated No. 4 on The Ledger’s Super 16 list prior to the 2022 season.

He totaled 1,143 yards and 20 touchdowns in seven games during his senior season for the Bolts thanks in part to a 326-yard, six-touchdown effort as he broke the school record for single-game rushing yardage.

Jackson also rushed for 1,011 yards and nine touchdowns in addition to catching 15 passes for 342 yards and five scores as a junior.

He picked K-State over an interesting mix of offers from Alcorn State, Appalachian State, Arkansas State, Bethune-Cookman, Bryant, Charlotte, Coastal Carolina, Duke, East Carolina, Eastern Michigan, Florida Atlantic, Grambling State, Iowa State, Louisville, Marshall, Middle Tennessee State, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Temple, Tulane, USF, Utah, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest and Western Kentucky, as well as strong interest from Florida State, Kentucky and UCF.

Jackson’s primary recruiters were former wide receivers coach Thad Ward and his new position coach, Brian Anderson. He brings toughness, agility and speed to the position.