Jackson signs deal to fulfill his dream

By JEREMY SELLEW

jsellew@yourmvi.com

Since JaQuae Jackson was a little boy tossing the football around, he had a dream of playing in the National Football League. 

On April 27, his dream come true with the stroke of a pen.

Jackson, a Serra Catholic graduate and former star at California (Pa.), signed a free agent deal with the Atlanta Falcons after he wasn’t selected in the NFL Draft.

The Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens and Seattle Seahawks all showed interest in Jackson, but ultimately he decided to sign in Atlanta.

“My receivers coach at Rutgers, Coach (Dave) Brock was coached with the Falcons, so he kind of gave me the rundown on the team, the culture and the city,” Jackson said. “They were a team I was talking to in the draft process and throughout the draft. I felt like I really had a great connection with the team down there.”

In 2021, he broke out with the Vulcans with 744 yards and eight touchdowns. The following season he was the team’s leading receiver with 1,178 yards and 13 touchdowns.

He made a tough decision to hit the transfer portal and landed at Rutgers. With the Scarlet Knights, he was the team’s second-leading receiver with 361 yards and averaged 16.4 yards per catch.

“I thought about that decision every day. I loved my time at Cal. Coach (Gary) Dunn and Coach (Chad) Salisbury and everyone down there … I just can’t thank them enough for all their support. It was tough because they showed, and still show, nothing but love. It was really hard to leave there. Without them, I wouldn’t be here now,” Jackson said. 

“I had to get out of my comfort zone, though. I knew where I wanted to be and I got that opportunity. I couldn’t be more thankful. “Cal is one of the top-tier programs in D2 when it comes to putting guys in the NFL. To have them ties there, I’m forever grateful and will always be there for the program.”

Jackson remains in Pittsburgh until next week when he’ll report to rookie mini-camp with the Falcons.

“This is really a great opportunity for me. It’s a new regime there. I just plan on coming in there, getting locked in and focused and get to work,” he said. “Everything is going to fall into place. I think the Falcons have a lot to offer, and I’m going to go in there and make a name for myself.”

For Jackson, it’s a similar situation to when he arrived at Rutgers. He’s going to keep that same mindset and focus on the task at hand.”

It’s not like Jackson is going South without some first-hand knowledge of the expectations. He’s developed close friendships with some of the best to ever play the game in southwestern Pa. and the league. It’s just a matter of picking up the phone and reaching out to guys like former Pitt cornerback Dane Jackson and safety Damar Hamlin, both with the Buffalo Bills. Even Aaron Donald has given some advice. Coming from western Pennsylvania comes with a reputation.

“This area is all about football,” Jackson said proudly. “It’s the best football in the country. It brings with it a certain demeanor. We’re the best to play football, we breed that here.

“Having guys like Dane and Damar, being able to shoot them a text or jump on a call, it’s all love and it’s all support whenever I need something. It’s a great resource to have.”

While continuing to train daily at home, Jackson remains locked in on his task to become a star at the next level – the ultimate level.

“When I first got to Rutgers, I had this same chip on my shoulders,” he said with confidence. “I’m going down to Atlanta to be the best version of JaQuae Jackson I can be. Nothing changes, I have to prove it to them and continue to prove it to myself.”