NC State junior wide receiver Keenan Jackson met with the media to discuss his role in the offense, the start of fall camp, and more!
NOTE: Click the video above to watch the full interview!
On run blocking...
I talk to my Pops or read our text messages before the game. He’s not talking about catches or touchdowns. He’s talking about pancake blocks, if I'm blocking, if I'm playing hard. That’s been the thing since I started in football. He's yanked me off the field for playing soft before. I could have two or three touchdowns, and he wouldn't really care unless I was playing hard and blocking. So, I’ve had that instilled in me. Even now, if he’s not seeing it out there, best believe he’s going to call me out after the game.
Does it help with you maybe not getting as many targets as you wanted to the last couple of years, but still knowing you’re impacting the game and keeping yourself on the field in that sense?
For sure. When you’re a team player, you’re doing anything you can to help the team. Whether that’s blocking or helping out as a teammate, I really do it all now, just football.
Where’s the biggest improvement you’ve seen CJ make this whole season?
His leadership. Last year, he was growing into it throughout the season, and you could see him get more and more comfortable in that role. Then this season, he really took it by the reins and took control of it. It’s been good to see. We came in here together, so it’s just been good to see him grow. My thing is doing whatever I can to support him wherever he needs me to be.
What was it like to see yourself in the video game?
Oh yeah, that’s crazy! It was really cool the first year that it dropped. NCAA 14 was my favorite game growing up, so being able to be in the college game now is really surreal. And best believe when I’m playing with us, I’m the only one getting the ball!
You’re a returning veteran now. What does it look like for you to step into a leadership role in the wide receiver room?
It’s been great. It’s a new challenge, but it’s something I’ve experienced before. I’ve been in leadership roles through middle school, high school, my whole life. So being back in that position isn't new, but it’s a new group at a different level. We’re trying to grow with that every day, and I'm doing whatever I can to help my teammates get better.
What’s the challenge as a leader with the transfer portal now, having to lead almost a whole group of new guys sometimes and bringing them into the culture of the program you’ve been a part of?
The best thing is trying to gel and create friendships. That’s the easiest way to go about it. You can’t get on a guy or push him too much if you don’t know him. So you’ve got to build that foundation first.
What’s your relationship with CJ Bailey now, knowing that you already have a rapport with him from last year?
It’s great. Going into our second year together, it’s as good as it can be. We’re working on it every single day. We were out there every single weekend throughout the offseason. Coming into fall camp right here, we're trying to crank it up. We had a great spring, so I’m excited to get this season going.
What goals do you have for yourself this fall?
Big goals. My goal is to be the number one receiver. I feel like that’s the same goal for all the guys in our room; we all want to be the top dog. So that’s what I’m striving for. My goal is to be the top guy, the guy we count on, and lead the team in receiving.
You guys were picked to finish seventh in the ACC according to the media. Is that something that adds fuel to the fire, or something you don't pay attention to? What’s the mentality on that?
You definitely see it, but we’re worried about ourselves. In fall camp, it’s time to hone in and focus on the team, not outside stuff. So you see it and feel the fire, but at the end of the day, none of that matters when you put the ball down.
Have there been any newcomers that you’ve tried to take under your wing and mentor?
Yeah, for sure. I try to pour into all the young guys. We have a really good freshman core room: Tyreek Copper, Jai Richburg, Amari Acker, and Aiden Smalls. Those guys are all going to be good. We’ve got a lot of room to grow. You might see some of them on the field this year; you never really know, but I think they all have the potential to be really good college football players.
And who have you been watching a lot this offseason, professionally, to try to improve yourself or that you would compare yourself to?
You mean watching film?
Yeah, in the NFL.
In the NFL, I watch a lot of DeAndre Hopkins and Mike Evans. They’ve been my staples. Keenan Allen has been my favorite receiver my whole life. Larry Fitzgerald is another one. I like all those guys and try to pick up anything I can. Take small things, watch their games, and apply it.
