By Tony Burns
Sports Editor
In the 1939 film, The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy says to her dog, "Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore.”
Parkers Chapel’s Dezmon Jackson has been in Kansas for the past two years. But, thanks to his play on the gridiron, his yellow brick road to an even brighter future is in sight.
Jackson, a sophomore running back for Hutchinson Community College, will have his choice of scholarship offers after this season. He earned his third straight Jayhawk Conference Offensive Player of the Week Award for the Blue Dragons, who are ranked No. 4 in the nation.
South Dakota, Tennessee-Chattanooga, Grambling State, Tennessee-Martin, Southern Illinois and Ohio are among the offers on Jackson’s table.
“Right now I’m not leaning on any school with it being so early in the process, but as of next month I will start narrowing it down,” he said.
The 6-0, 219-pound tailback has rushed for 911 yards and 10 touchdowns, averaging 7.6 yards per carry for the 8-1 Blue Dragons.
He said winning Player of the Week three consecutive times was sort of a validation that he’s on the right path.
“That right there was one of my biggest accomplishments in my career being that this is the toughest Junior College conference in the country,” Jackson said. “Every week you’re playing against guys who are either going to play in the SEC, BIG 10 or BIG 12, or who have came from there. So winning that award three weeks in a row, four times overall, just lets me know all the work I’ve put in has paid off.”
Jackson’s rainbow future had a tumultuous start when he arrived in Hutchinson, Kansas two years ago. After rushing for 1,535 yards and 24 touchdowns at Parkers Chapel, his football future was in question. Despite success with the Trojans, college interest was tepid.
“Arkansas was looking at me and when they found out I couldn’t go, one of the coaches that was recruiting me happened to be friends with a coach at Hutch,” said Jackson, who said he had one other JUCO offer.
His arrival on the Kansas plains was a culture shock.
“Kansas is as plain as it gets. There’s nothing to do here. That makes it easier to stay focused on just football and school - no distractions,” said Jackson, who admitted it was a tough transition.
“It was very difficult. My first two weeks here in freshman camp was the most adversity I’ve ever dealt with in my life. It’s truly a grind and nothing comes easy. You got to work for everything and nothing is given to you. The whole lifestyle is just different. When I first got here I had to find myself again and mature fast because if not, I wouldn’t have continued to play this game that I love. But, this JUCO life makes a man out of you and I’m thankful for all the hard times because I am now a better man.”
Jackson has grown both on and off the field. His stock as a college prospect has shot through the roof since he was in high school.
“I’m the best I’ve ever been in my career,” he said. “The game now comes easy. Sometimes I feel like I can’t be stopped when I step out onto that field. The amount of work I have put in over the last two summers was everlasting. I’m at a different level and I’m more flexible and faster than I have ever been, which is a huge plus.”
Going to Kansas was one of few options for Jackson two years ago. He’ll have no shortage when it comes to choices for his next college destination.
“My goal is to train my hardest before transitioning over to my Division I school, and just go hard each and everyday,” he said. “Within the next two years I can be graduating and signing with an agent to get ready for the NFL draft so I’m just keeping my head on steady and remaining the same humble guy I have always been.”