Scouting Cal and North Texas Recap

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Auburn's Payton Thorne, Cal's Sam Jackson V have surprising connection Jackson and Thorne have a strong high school connection. Lance Dawe Sep 5, 2023 2:07 PM EDT In this story: Auburn Tigers Auburn Tigers California Golden Bears California Golden Bears

California's Sam Jackson V played high school football at Naperville Central, a high school in the suburbs of Chicago. Over the course of his time at Naperville, Jackson moved around and molded himself to the team's liking in order to get onto the field. That included switching from quarterback to receiver because of current Auburn quarterback Payton Thorne. “We play the same position, but [because] I didn’t want to sit on the sidelines […] I tried to contribute to the team by [becoming a] receiver and being one of his main targets,” Jackson told the Central Times in 2018.

Jackson transferred to Naperville from Bolingbrook High School, becoming the only sophomore on that Redhawks squad. He was said to have trained closely with Thorne, with the team environment surrounding the two aiding in their building chemistry. “I kind of look up to Payton Thorne,” Jackson said. “He’s a great leader, and he knows everything about the game.“ The duo were electric that season. Jackson exploded onto the scene as a transfer, catching 50 passes for 847 yards and 14 touchdowns. After a stellar 92-yard performance against Naperville North mid-season, it was clear that Jackson greatly benefitted as a receiver in Thorne's offense. “To have a guy like Payton is crazy because he can make plays or extend plays,” Jackson said (Naperville Sun/Chicago Tribune). “As soon as I found out I was transferring here we got to work. Payton is a pocket passer who has targets down the field, and he can hit anybody.”

Following the end of that 2018 season, Payton Thorne committed to Michigan State. It was now Jackson's turn to return back to quarterback and lead. According to Naperville Central head coach Mike Stine, Jackson learned how lead behind Thorne, one of the best quarterbacks in the state. “He had a great mentor,” Stine said of Jackson (Shaw Local). “He got to play behind the best quarterback in the state last year in [Thorne], and Sam really learned a lot from just watching Payton’s work ethic and what he does in the classroom breaking down film.” Jackson agreed. “I learned a lot,” he said. “He showed me how to become a better leader to my teammates, not only on the field, but off the field, too. He taught me a lot of things about coverages. When I came to [Naperville] Central he was talking about the reads on every play, the coverages and how to beat the coverages.”

In nine games as the full-time starter in 2019, Jackson threw for 1,727 yards and 16 touchdowns. His senior season was cut due to COVID-19, so immediately following his junior campaign, Jackson was off to college. After originally committing and playing early for TCU, Jackson transferred to California this offseason. He ended up winning the starting quarterback job for the Golden Bears while impressing in camp.

Jeff Faurado of Cal Sports Report got a chance to talk with Naperville's Mike Stine about Jackson's skill set earlier this year. Sam isn't just a quarterback, says Stine. He's an athlete. “He definitely is a unique athletic talent," Stine said. "Everyone is going to see that. He can run 4.4 in the 40, he can windmill dunk a basketball and he can throw a football 70 yards. He’s extremely dynamic. He’s a playmaker. That’s what you’re going to see on the field. Stine continued to rave about Jackson's skill set as an athlete. High football IQ. Special. Good work ethic.

Current Naperville Central head coach Mike Ulreich, who was the defensive coordinator for the Redhawks while Jackson was there, also was blown away by Jackson's abilities. “He did things in games and every day in practice that just kind of blew you away throwing the football,” Ulreich said. "He’s got enormous hands. The ball just explodes off his fingers. He’s got a very smooth, natural motion and the ball just kind of jumps out of his hand.” What made Jackson more than a quarterback? Well, while Jackson himself would tell you he's a pass-first QB, many of his highlights will show that he's every bit of a dual-threat. He's hard to bring down in the backfield, and was excellent at extending plays. It reminded the coaches of a certain NFL quarterback. “One of his strengths is when the defense thinks they have a good play going and the play breaks down offensively, Sam can extend that and get out of the pocket. He can hurt you out of the pocket by running, but if you come up and try and tackle him he can throw the ball 70 yards [...] He has a little Patrick Mahomes in him,” Stine said. “He’s that kind of guy — he extends plays with his feet [...] and if a receiver’s open down field he’ll get him the ball. That’s what puts pressure on the defense.”

Jackson suffered an upper-body injury vs North Texas in Cal's season opener. Before getting hurt, he was 3-of-4 passing for 33 yards and a touchdown with 18 yards rushing. He's an impact player that could give Auburn fits this weekend if he's able and ready to go. The Tigers travel to Berkley to take on the Golden Bears this Saturday, September 9th. Kickoff is at 9:30 CT on ESPN.

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