When thinking of the most important position on the football team, one's immediate thought is the quarterback. Given a little more time, a disruptive pass-rusher or playmaking wide receiver could also take the top spot. But with some new perspective, the center could just as easily be considered the key to success. Enter sixth-year senior center James Jackson.
The improvement across the entire offensive line is a big reason for the success that South Alabama has experienced early this season, and it starts with the experience of Jackson playing that crucial center position. The center has the most obvious responsibility of getting the football safely to the quarterback each play, but Jackson's leadership runs much deeper than that as he's asked to manage the entire offensive line unit by calling out protections and identifying the middle linebacker in order for there to be balanced protection.