Jackson's Big Picture at OU

Throughout his recruitment it was clear that Oklahoma freshman linebacker Mark Jackson wasn't thinking about only where he might win on the football field. The Cibolo (Texas) Steele product, and Army All-American, talked about his plans at Oklahoma earlier this summer and now that the Sooners are days away from beginning SoonerScoop.com felt it was a good time to look back on his goals upon arriving in Norman.

Jackson has his eyes on helping his team to big things but wants to make an impact on the campus as a whole as well.

"To make an impact not only I guess throughout my football team but in a large aspect to inspire. Also to win a national championship, I was part of a program at Steele where it is state or bust every single year. You do all that work in the offseason to reach the ultimate goal that is winning," Jackson said.

"I see that a lot of Sooners here go to Haiti, I want to get involved with that. Maybe go to the elementary schools, I love kids. I was part of PALS program at my high school and also part of the daycare at my church. I love being around the younger generation because they really do look up to us. I'll probably go into some study abroad as well."

That study abroad leads directly into his plans for life beyond football as he works, during his time working as a double major in college, on the idea of building his future.

"Getting into business endeavors, probably marketing and then financing for different banks, really trying to build on a lot of relationships through college. Talking to a lot of individuals and learn as much as I can," he said.

But that isn't to say that Jackson will stay away from big goals on the football field, in fact, though he is still learning his way through the growing pains of a freshman fall camp he came in with a very clear design on his football future. Some of which had been painted by the Sooners own staff.

"I’m ecstatic about the opportunity to come out and play and play as a freshman and prove myself on a bigger stage. As well as meet new people from across the world really at a great university, world renowned university. Everything is about relationships, whether it is business or football so the chance to talk and meet people and expand myself as a person," he said.

"I think my parents understood what I was trying to do, it was a mutual agreement even though I’m going off to college it’s not like I’m going out of my head. I’m not necessarily the most quiet guy so I’m going to try and handle this in the most mature way possible."

Even with the maturity Jackson had no expectation that he would handle his first moments on the field without any nerves.

"I’m anxious about (things), it’s kind of nerve wracking preparing for the season but the reason I’m looking forward to it is that the past experience, the lessons that I’ve learned from talking to coaches, players that have played the game before. It’s an experience I’m looking forward to," he said.

It's often been said that Texas prospects can tend to handle the spotlight a bit more seamlessly than others and Jackson says that his time in a huge program like Steele makes his transition to Norman that much easier.

"It helps tremendously, understanding the position that you are in, all eyes are on you. Understanding media etiquette, understanding that all eyes are on you and that your name is a brand so you make sure that everything that comes out of your mouth or is that people see of you is positive and going toward your brand," Jackson explained. "Also playing at a high level of competition every week helped prepare me for the college level."

Jackson, who will room with Oklahoma redshirt freshman defensive lineman Du'Vonta Lampkin, may have come from a large program but says that in his mind he focuses on those who have doubted he could ever reach this level.

"The feeling is different, being that most of my career I’ve kind of been the underdog type. He is kind of too small, he is too young. Things of that sort. I try and keep the same mentality, I always stay the underdog in my head, I want to make sure I come out on top but that others around me do as well," he said.

All of this talk may seem a bit out of character for Jackson who was reserved throughout his recruitment. That was a clear cut decision and is more example of the focus that he plans to put to work during his time in Norman. But he says that quiet has often led people to misunderstand his personality.

"I can see where you are coming from, during the entire recruiting process my dad didn’t want me to get too involved into the media. He didn’t want it to effect how I played or how colleges might look at me. So I made sure I didn’t involve myself too much in there.

"But if you talk to me I’ll talk back."