By Greg Myers
This fall Darius Jackson will be putting on his football uniform for the Sparta Bulldogs. However, this summer, he will be wearing the blue and gold of the St. Louis Rams.
Jackson, who will be a senior next year at Sparta, was just one of 12 players selected by the Rams to represent the franchise at the NFL National 7-on-7 Tournament in Cleveland in early July.
Jackson and several other Bulldogs took part in the Rams’ annual NFL High School Player Development Camp held at Belleville West, one of several camps held by the Rams. Out of the 374 players who participated in the camps, the top 18 were chosen to go through a practice in front of the team’s development coaches. After that practice, the team was cut to 12, and Jackson made the cut.
“It’s just awesome,” said the Sparta senior. “I get to travel with the Rams, play against teams from across the country and visit the NFL Hall of Fame in Canton. I went out there and worked hard. I wanted to represent Sparta and give it all I had.”
Jackson stated that he will see time at quarterback, slot wide receiver and safety on the Rams’ 7-on-7 team.
While new Sparta coach Edmund Jones has yet to see Jackson play in a game, he knows the talent and potential he possesses.
“Darius is an extremely hard worker,” said Jones. “He has trusted me 100 percent since I came here. He has a lot of potential. Darius is a great athlete, an outstanding student and a great citizen.”
Jackson hasn’t just been impressing his high school coach and the Rams this summer. He has received full-ride scholarship offers from Division I schools such as Eastern Michigan, Central Michigan, Northern Illinois and Northwestern.
“This summer has been pretty exciting,” said Jackson. “It has been a little overwhelming at times, but what a great opportunity. Coach Jones has done a lot for me this summer and we expect big things this year.”
Jackson, who is a three-sport standout at Sparta, lettered in football, basketball and baseball last year. He is considering playing football and baseball in college.
Darius is the son of Sandra Jackson of Sparta and the grandson of Steve and Wanda Walker of Sparta.