Cal Bears football commit Jackson Brown’s late father is his ‘why’
DANVILLE, Calif. (BVM) – The Bay hasn’t always been Jackson Brown’s home.
The San Ramon Valley senior was born in Arizona and lived there until tragedy struck on Father’s Day in 2010. After a two-year battle with colon cancer, Brown’s father, Tony, passed away. Soon after, Jackson and his mother moved to California to be closer to family.
It’s in The Golden State where Jackson evolved into a highly sought-after college recruit, and continued living the legacy of his late father.
“Every snap of football, I’m always thinking about him and playing for him,” Jackson said of his father. “He’s my everything and that’s why I play football.”
With his father on his mind during every snap, Jackson earned a myriad of Power 5 offers due to his size, athleticism and tenacity at offensive tackle. Arizona, Colorado, Cincinnati, Indiana, Minnesota and others extended an offer to the big man, but many believed Jackson would ultimately choose his father’s alma mater: Pitt.
The Panthers did offer Jackson and he visited the school on June 10, but staying close to his new home, his mother and brother was too important to pass up.
“It was tough not to go to Pitt,” Jackson said. “I wanted to follow in his (Tony’s) legacy but I know he helped me with this decision. He was watching over every step of this process and watching over me ever since he left.”
Luckily for Jackson, there was mutual interest in a Power 5 program right in his backyard.
The University of California was Jackson’s choice over 24 other schools due in part to a recent Forbes study that ranked Cal No. 1 on its 2021 list of top colleges – the first time that a public school has ever topped the rankings.
A close proximity to family and an instant connection to the program’s current players solidified Jackson’s decision to become a Golden Bear.
“The academics are there and then the player culture and the coaches were really the biggest reasons I chose Cal,” Jackson said. “When I went on my official visit, I bonded with the players and felt like I knew them before I even got there. It was crazy and I’m excited to be a Bear.”
At 6-foot-6, 300 pounds, it might be hard to believe that Jackson played at 220 pounds as a sophomore. Looking at him now, it might be even more difficult to believe that the three-star offensive tackle was once a basketball player at heart who traveled the country on the AAU circuit.
Jackson was presented the opportunity to start on the offensive line last year as a junior and, coinciding with the Covid-19 pandemic, underwent both a physical and philosophical transformation.
“I hated Covid and quarantine and all that, and still do, but quarantine was the best thing for me,” Jackson said. “I would hit the gym twice a day and I gained 50 pounds in a year. I knew I had all the size and intangibles to go Division I and that was the goal; I didn’t want my mom to pay for college. It really just clicked for me and I started working.
“I’m 6-foot-6, 300 pounds right now and I feel better every day; I can move just like when I was 225. Basketball has really helped my feet so I know I can always set the edge, I’m quick enough to get out for screens and then there’s my nastiness. Every play, if you look at my film, I’m always going through the whistle and putting people in the ground.”
Had to get number 45 baptized😈@FootballSrv pic.twitter.com/PaDWZ5nT4E
— Jackson Brown (@jacksonbrown_77) September 11, 2021
With his commitment now out of the way, Jackson’s focus is on earning a state title alongside his San Ramon Valley teammates. After opening the season with a 34-7 win over Bishop O’Dowd, the Wolves dropped a close one on the road at Central Catholic, 21-14, last week.
“That (loss) doesn’t really set us back; that’s just more motivation,” Jackson said. “Once we get into league play, we have to be strapped up and ready to go. We have all the talent: our skill positions, offensive line, quarterback, everything. We have it all so if we just put the pieces together, we should be able to do that (win state).”
