Kordell Jackson Interview
Austin Peay #13 Defensive Back
5’11” / 163 lbs
Twitter: Kordell Jackson (@kordelljackson2) | Twitter
Playing resume
- Played at Ramsay High School in Birmingham, Alabama
- Led Ramsay to the Alabama 6A State Championship
- Three-year letter winner at Ramsay High School where he finished career with 235 tackles and 10 interceptions
- Rated a 2★ recruit by 247 Sports Composite
- Finished 6th in voting for the 2019 Buck Buchanan Award given annually to the nations best defensive player
- 2019 stats were 47 tackles, 38 solos, 2 sacks, 7 interceptions, 10 pass breakups, 2 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries
- 37 games played, 121 tackles, 100 solos, 16 tackles for a loss, 5 sacks, 10 interceptions, 2 returned for touchdowns, 25 pass breakups, 3 forced fumble, and 2 fumble recoveries
- The 33rd player in FCS history to record two pick-sixes in the same game
Awards and Honors:
- 2019 NCAA Consensus All-American
- 2019 Walter Camp FCS All-American (DB)
- 2019 First Team AFCA All-American (DB)
- 2019 First Team STATS FCS All-American (DB)
- 2019 FCS ADA All-America Team (DB)
- 2019 First Team Associated Press All-American (DB)
- 2019 First Team HERO Sports All-American (DB)
- 2019 First Team All-OVC
- Athletic Director’s Honor Roll (F17, S18, S20)
This week's interview is with a super talented defensive back, Kordell Jackson of Austin Peay. The Senior defensive back was Austin Peay’s first consensus All-American since 2002 and was gracious enough to give us a few minutes and discuss his football career, beginning from his Pee Wee days through his college career. We'll see what makes him tick and what his plans are for the future. Let's dive right into the interview.
Who introduced you to the game of football?
My mom (Fransetta Henry).
Why did you choose Austin Peay to further your football career?
The love from the coaches during the recruiting process and the family environment on my visit.
Your team had a tremendous playoff run (11-4 record) this past year, making it all the way to the FCS Quarterfinals. What did you learn about yourself and your team during this run?
As a team, I learned how important it is to have a bond with your teammates and know why they play the game.
Naturally, you must feel like there is some unfinished business, with the way last season ended, so what is the one area you and your team must improve to make another championship run?
One thing I feel like we can work on as a team is just finishing games.
What’s the one thing you need to improve most about your game?
I feel like I can improve in every aspect of the game, but one thing as a DB you can always work on is covering.
What is the strongest part of your game?
The strongest part of my game would be my ability to play all over the field.
Film study is such an important part of football, what are some key things you look for when watching tape?
Just watching the opponent's tendencies on run and pass plays.
What’s your favorite song of all-time?
Dreams and nightmares.
What would you do career-wise, if you didn’t play football?
Coach Football.
What one game would you recommend someone watch of your play and why?
Jacksonville State because it was an overall great game.
What one game would you like to replay and why?
Montana state because I feel like the outcome could be different.
Do you play fantasy football? If not would you be interested?
No, and no not really.
What NFL defensive back do you pattern your game after?
What is the one famous dead person you could talk to for a day and why?
Martin L King Jr. because I would just like to pick his brain on some things.
What’s your favorite defensive play call & why?
Any play I’m blitzing because I love making plays in the backfield.
How has this Covid-19 pandemic affected your daily routine and what steps have you taken to continue your training and stay sharp?
I’ve had the chance to get back home and work with my long time trainer Otis Leverette.
If you could choose the NFL team that you wanted to play for, who would it be and why?
Honestly, I just want to play in the NFL so the team does not matter at all.
If you could visit any place in the world, where would it be and why?
Dubai or Paris.
Do you play video games? Which Platform?
Yes, PS4.
What was the biggest challenge for you stepping up from high school football to the college football level?
The game-play was not much of a change, I just had to get my body into better physical shape.
If you had to tell an aspiring HS player what the hardest part of playing college ball is, what would it be and why?
The hardest part about playing college football would be the fall camp and Matt drill practices. Those days really test your mental toughness and if you're not prepared people will know.
If you had to give any pointers, what would they be?
Remember the reason you do what you do!
