Tilton’s Paradis continues to land on radar for Division I programs
TILTON, N.H. (BVM) — Jackson Paradis wasn’t going to let a shortened season affect his ability on the football field.
With only three games on the schedule, it didn’t take long for the Tilton running back to make a difference on the ground, rushing for 314 yards and 3 touchdowns in the first game of the season.
“It was really amazing, the offensive line did an amazing job,” Paradis said when talking about his effort versus Proctor Academy. “We have one of the best offensive lines in New England. My sophomore year at Tilton, I had a 260-yard game, but it was nothing like that. It was just a very fun game and everyone just clicked all together so it was amazing.”
The Rams’ star running back is currently the No. 1-ranked player in New Hampshire according to 247Sports. After starting at Sanborn Regional High School, the Kingston native transferred to Tilton School for his sophomore year.
“I was kind of always into transferring to a prep school,” Paradis said. “When I visited Tilton, I met the head coach Matt Dawson, who was a new head coach, and we just kind of clicked and it was the perfect place for me to go.”
It was easy to see what the Rams were getting in their new running back. At Sanborn, the 6-foot, 225-pound back was able to break the 100-yard mark five times in his freshman campaign. Switching schools wouldn’t deter Paradis, who racked up 825 rushing yards and nine touchdowns, in his first year at the program.
After his first season was cut short last year due to an ankle injury, Paradis had hoped he would be able showcase his talent for a full season this year. Unfortunately, with COVID-19 concerns, Tilton would only be able to play two games before their final game against New Hampton was canceled.
“It was definitely a weird experience, especially since we played our first game and we had to wait about like three weeks for our second game,” Paradis said.
“…knowing we had a three game schedule, I tried to put everything into every game, win every game and change the outcome.”
Even with a shortened junior season, Paradis has caught the eyes of recruiters across the country. The Tilton running back has kept in touch with multiple Division I schools and currently has offers from Austin Peay, Colorado State, New Hampshire and UMass Amherst.
“I’m kind of open to every school across the country and I’ve been talking to schools like Maryland, Cal Berkeley, Pitt, Buffalo, Boston College, UConn, Army, Navy and some more schools like that,” Paradis said.
“It’s great getting to know all of these coaches and just create all these friendships and everything. Just getting to know all these schools is amazing.”
With more time off than usual, the Rams’ running back is making sure he’s ready to go for the future. Along with his training regimen for football, Paradis is hoping he can run track and field this spring for the school.
“I did track and field my sophomore year at Sanborn and Tilton doesn’t really have a track and field program right now so we’re trying to create one,” Paradis said. “If we’re able to do that in the spring, I’ll definitely do that.
“I’ve been training harder than I’ve ever had before. We wake up at 5 a.m. to work out every day and just getting in multiple sessions. [I’m] trying to get better everyday.
