Eastern Michigan Athletics
Darius Jackson Garners NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Invitation
12/1/2015 2:35:00 PM | Football
Running back to play Jan. 23 on the campus of California State University Dominguez Hills
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (EMUEagles.com) — Eastern Michigan University senior running back Darius Jackson (Sparta, Ill.-Sparta) has committed to play in the 2016 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl according to an announcement by the association Monday, Nov. 30.
The Fifth Annual NFLPA Collegiate Bowl all-star game is scheduled to be played on Saturday, Jan. 23, at the StubHub Center on the campus of California State University Dominguez Hills in Carson, Calif. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m. (EST) and will be televised on ESPN2.
"He's an incredible person, he's humble, he's got a great heart," said Head Coach Chris Creighton. "We've said it all year he's one of our best practice players. He's so talented, he's bright, [and] he's going to have so many options in life. I'm proud to have coached him."
The NFLPA Collegiate Bowl is the 11th different individual postseason all-star game an EMU student-athlete has been selected to participate in. In total, 18 different players have received invitations to play in these bowl games since 1977. The last player to be invited to a game following his senior season was Mycal Swaim in 2013, when he played in the Medal of Honor Bowl in Charleston, S.C..
Jackson turned in one of the finest seasons in Eastern Michigan history in 2015, setting the school's single-season record with 16 touchdowns. He also became the first EMU tailback since Bronson Hill in 2013 to rush for more than 1,000 yards in a season and is just the 13th player in program history to do so. Jackson finished the year with 1,089 yards on the ground, which is the 10th most in a single-season in EMU history. He also wrapped up his career as the 14th all-time leading rusher with 1,597 yards.
One of the best backs in both the Mid-American Conference and the country this season, Jackson finished the regular season second in the league in rushing at 90.7 yards a game. The total ranked 37th in the country. Jackson also totaled 8.0 points a game, which was third in the MAC and 54th in the nation. Additionally, 14 of his 16 touchdowns were rushing touchdowns, which finished second in the MAC and 17th in the country.
The NFLPA Collegiate Bowl experience is much more than a game for the participating players. For one week, participants will receive an in-depth introduction to their future union. The NFLPA, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2016, is the primary resource for players for information on the business of football and how to succeed in the NFL and in their post-football careers.
Jackson will be joined by a pair of MAC players in Jordan Williams of Ball State University and Tajae Sharpe of the University of Massachusetts. Other players that have committed to play are Utah quarterback Travis Wilson, Illinois running back Josh Ferguson, Michigan linebacker James Ross and many more.
It is unknown at this point as to which team Jackson will be on, but the coaches for the game will be former Green Bay Packers and 1996 Super Bowl coach, Mike Holmgren, as well as former St. Louis Rams coach and NFL coordinator Mike Martz.
For more information about the 2016 NFLPA Collegiate visit http://collegiate.nflpa.com.
The Fifth Annual NFLPA Collegiate Bowl all-star game is scheduled to be played on Saturday, Jan. 23, at the StubHub Center on the campus of California State University Dominguez Hills in Carson, Calif. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m. (EST) and will be televised on ESPN2.
"He's an incredible person, he's humble, he's got a great heart," said Head Coach Chris Creighton. "We've said it all year he's one of our best practice players. He's so talented, he's bright, [and] he's going to have so many options in life. I'm proud to have coached him."
The NFLPA Collegiate Bowl is the 11th different individual postseason all-star game an EMU student-athlete has been selected to participate in. In total, 18 different players have received invitations to play in these bowl games since 1977. The last player to be invited to a game following his senior season was Mycal Swaim in 2013, when he played in the Medal of Honor Bowl in Charleston, S.C..
Jackson turned in one of the finest seasons in Eastern Michigan history in 2015, setting the school's single-season record with 16 touchdowns. He also became the first EMU tailback since Bronson Hill in 2013 to rush for more than 1,000 yards in a season and is just the 13th player in program history to do so. Jackson finished the year with 1,089 yards on the ground, which is the 10th most in a single-season in EMU history. He also wrapped up his career as the 14th all-time leading rusher with 1,597 yards.
One of the best backs in both the Mid-American Conference and the country this season, Jackson finished the regular season second in the league in rushing at 90.7 yards a game. The total ranked 37th in the country. Jackson also totaled 8.0 points a game, which was third in the MAC and 54th in the nation. Additionally, 14 of his 16 touchdowns were rushing touchdowns, which finished second in the MAC and 17th in the country.
The NFLPA Collegiate Bowl experience is much more than a game for the participating players. For one week, participants will receive an in-depth introduction to their future union. The NFLPA, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2016, is the primary resource for players for information on the business of football and how to succeed in the NFL and in their post-football careers.
Jackson will be joined by a pair of MAC players in Jordan Williams of Ball State University and Tajae Sharpe of the University of Massachusetts. Other players that have committed to play are Utah quarterback Travis Wilson, Illinois running back Josh Ferguson, Michigan linebacker James Ross and many more.
It is unknown at this point as to which team Jackson will be on, but the coaches for the game will be former Green Bay Packers and 1996 Super Bowl coach, Mike Holmgren, as well as former St. Louis Rams coach and NFL coordinator Mike Martz.
For more information about the 2016 NFLPA Collegiate visit http://collegiate.nflpa.com.
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