USC's Adoree Jackson splitting time between spring football, track and field
Adoree' Jackson has no loyalties when he steps on the practice field. His teammates, jokingly, call him a "traitor" but that's OK.
Such is the life for the three-way star at USC.
"Whatever side I'm on, that's who I root for," Jackson said when asked if he roots for the offense or defense during USC scrimmages.
Even though he accomplished a lot as a freshman in 2014, there are still more firsts for the talented cornerback/wide receiver.
On Tuesday he went through his very first spring practice as a member of the Trojans. On Thursday, during spring practice No. 2, for the first time in his career Jackson lined up exclusively on the offensive side of the ball for an entire practice.
Normally, if the defensive wore white colored jerseys to practice, Jackson wore a white jersey to practice. If the defense wore cardinal, he wore cardinal. If he got thrown into offensive drills, he'd just put on one of the shells reserved for non-contact players and line up against the defense.
That wasn't the case on Thursday. The offense came out in cardinal and so did Jackson.
When the receivers huddled with position coach Tee Martin, so did Jackson. When they made a visit to the JUGS machine before walking off of the practice field, Jackson followed suit.
He was an offensive player on this day.
"It was pretty fun," Jackson said following Thursday's practice.
The plan is for Jackson to alternate offensive and defensive days over the course of the next four practices.
Saturday he'll return to defense. Tuesday he'll be back with the offense and so on.
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The emphasis for Jackson on the offensive side of the ball can't be confused with Jackson receiving a heavier workload on that side of the ball in the fall, USC head coach Steve Sarkisian says.
But he can't deny the impact he has offensively and on special teams.
"I'd love to get No. 2 the ball," Sarkisian said. "Everytime he has it we all kind of hold (our) breath he might score but there is a fine line of how much we push him. It's not always so much game day but the preparation for game day (that takes a toll)."
As busy as last fall was for Jackson making the transition to the collegiate level playing on defense, having a package on offense, and making plays on Saturdays this spring may be even more hectic.
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In addition to spring drills with the football team, Jackson is also a member of the USC track and field team. Last weekend he wrapped up the indoor season and the outdoor season is quickly approaching.
Sarkisian says Jackson won't miss any of spring ball because of track and that he and USC Director of Track and Field Caryl Smith Gilbert have been in "good communication."
"We'll manage him," Sarkisian said.
Since he stepped on the USC campus, Jackson has handled everything that's been thrown on his plate and hasn't been overwhelmed.
"I'm just having fun so while you're having fun you can handle as much as you want," Jackson said.
