Ask Chase Jackson how fast he is and he kind of shrugs.
“I haven’t run a 40 since the summer of my junior year and then I ran a 4.49,” said Jackson, who’s listed as a three-star recruit by Rivals. “I’m definitely a 4.4 guy. By the time I’m done with high school I’ll probably be a low 4.4 or high 4.3 guy.”
You don’t need a stopwatch to determine whether or not Jackson is fast. His numbers on the field back that up.
Last season, in his first season playing wide receiver, the 6-2 speedster racked up 1,342 yards and 17 touchdowns as Choctaw advanced to the Class 6A-II semifinals and enjoyed its best season in 60 years.
“He’s only played the position one year,” remarked Choctaw head coach Jake Corbin. “He’s nowhere near the ceiling of what he can accomplish. The sky is the limit with him.”
“People said my route running was good last year, but my receivers coach and I watched film and I didn’t like some of my routes last year,” admitted Jackson. “I’m definitely going to be more sharp and precise on my routes.”
“I’m not going to be doing any more lulls, where I act like I’m blocking,” added Jackson, who’s added 12-15 pounds to his frame since last season. “I’m not going to do that any more. I’m going to have a whole new 1-2 step coming off the line. I’m a whole different receiver now.”
The thought of Jackson being sharper and more skilled this season is enough to give opposing defensive coordinators nightmares.
“He brings a level of toughness and electricity to our team,” said Corbin, who also plans on having Jackson return kicks this season. “He can make you miss, he can run over you, run through you and around you. His competitiveness is very contagious to our team.”
The Yellowjackets will need more of that competitiveness and production from Jackson this season. Inexperienced but talented sophomore Steele Wasel takes over at quarterback and he’s fortunate to have a weapon like Jackson.
Despite his lack of experience at the position, Jackson has caught the eye of several Division I schools. He committed to TCU in May but continues to receive attention from other top-tier programs. Just this past week, Texas made its interest known by extending Jackson a scholarship offer.
Jackson is thankful for the continued attention from other programs, but he remains committed to the Horned Frogs. In fact, he’s attempting to graduate early so he can be in Fort Worth for spring drills.
“I used to watch them when I was a youngster,” said Jackson about TCU. “Every time I played Madden or NCAA Football, I was always TCU. I loved their colors. I just love how Coach Patterson has been there for a long time.”
According to Jackson, TCU coaches see him as a similar player to former Horned Frog star and current Philadelphia Eagle receiver Jalen Reagor.
“They told me I’m going to fill Reagor’s role,” said Jackson. “They want me to get down there early. They want me on the field as soon as I can. They have a vision for me. They like my size and my speed on the outside.”
“A lot of people understand that he can play ball on Saturdays at the highest level,” stated Corbin. “I think he’s a kid, if he continues down the right path, that can play on Sundays. He has a knack for getting open. He’s very sly and very physical. He has all the tools to be really, really good.”
While he may find himself on a Big 12 campus in just a few months, Jackson is currently focused on the unfinished business he and his Yellowjacket teammates have from last season’s playoff run.
“We’re going to play for a state championship this year,” claimed Jackson. “I just know it. We definitely have the people and the mindset to get it done. We’re definitely going to be there.”
