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Redbirds add Big Ten wide receiver
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[JULY 21, 2004]
NORMAL --
Minnesota's Pierre Jackson, a 5-foot-11, 170-pound wide receiver,
has become the latest Big Ten Conference player to transfer to
Illinois State. Head coach Denver Johnson announced Jackson's
addition to the 2004 roster on Tuesday.
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 Jackson, who will have three years of
eligibility remaining, is an athletic receiver and ranked among the
Golden Gophers' best in leaping ability with a 32-inch vertical
jump. He also clocked a 40-yard time of 4.58 seconds.
"From our remembrance of Pierre as a
high schooler, he has legitimate speed, and that is always one of
the first prerequisites that you look for," Johnson said. "Out on
the perimeter you need guys that can run and stretch defenses down
the field. We feel real confident that he will improve our speed,
and we think that he's going to be a real good addition to our
team."
After redshirting his first season at
Minnesota, the Chicago native played in five games during the 2003
season, all as a reserve. He saw action on 17 plays without
recording a statistic.
The graduate of Harper High School
lettered three years while recording a 23-9 overall record during
his career. He was a two-time all-conference and all-area selection.
As a senior he made 62 receptions for more than 1,000 yards and 21
touchdowns.
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A versatile athlete, Jackson was also
used in the backfield and as a kick returner. During his senior
campaign, Jackson had nine carries for 138 yards and three
touchdowns, while returning 13 kickoffs for more than 300 yards and
two scores.
Jackson was also a two-year honor roll
student who earned four letters in track and three in basketball.
Since 1993,
when the NCAA rules changed to give players immediate eligibility at
the I-AA level, Illinois State has had 38 players transfer from I-A
football programs. Jackson joins Demetrus Johnson (Minnesota) and
Jesus Terrazas (Illinois) as former Big Ten players currently on the
Redbird roster.
[Todd Kober,
director of
athletics media relations,
Illinois
State University]
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