Star Jackson

Dec 27, 2007 (South Florida Sun-Sentinel - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- ZZFJV | charts | news | PowerRating -- The hype surrounding Lake Worth senior quarterback Star Jackson became so intense so quickly that most coaches admit they were hesitant to believe what they were hearing.

How could a high school player gain such a glowing reputation seemingly overnight?

Watch Jackson play for one series, however, and it's easy to figure out why he gained the status as one of the top quarterbacks in the country.

If he doesn't impress with his pinpoint passing, he'll get you with his timing, decisionmaking or his ability to predict the behavior of an opposing secondary unit.

Not to mention his knack for shedding oncoming defensive linemen while never taking his eyes off his receivers.

His demeanor is confident, unshakable. His mechanics are smooth and effortless. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound athlete looks and acts the part of a fan-pleasing, major college recruit.

In just three years, Jackson went from having never played a down of organized football to being named the South Florida Sun-Sentinel's 6A-5A-4A Player of the Year.

Jackson was a first-team All-County selection last season after throwing for 1,215 yards and 12 touchdowns. But his popularity really seemed to skyrocket after his junior season.

"He made such a jump in skill from his junior year to his senior year it was amazing," Palm Beach Gardens coach Kevin Fleury said.

This season he threw for 1,894 yards and 11 touchdowns after completing 116 out of his 202 attempts. He added another 224 yards and six touchdowns on the ground. The Trojans finished 7-4 this season, losing their bid for a district title in a tiebreaker.

The awards continue to pile up for Jackson. After being named to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel Super 11 team, Jackson was chosen as the Lou Groza Player of the Year and was selected to play in the prestigious U.S. Army All-American Bowl on Jan. 5 in San Antonio.

"He's elusive in the pocket, he stands tall and has a rocket for an arm," Dwyer coach Jack Daniels said. "He's the real deal."

Jackson orally committed to Alabama at the beginning of August and has held firm to that decision throughout the season.

Stacy Hicklin can be reached at shicklin@sun-sentinel.com

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