The Blur Takes His Act to Oregon

Being recruited for Division I athletics can be either a dirty game or the experience of a lifetime. Talmadge Jackson, an 18-year-old Chaparral High School Football star, has experienced this first hand.

By this time next week, Jackson will officially be signed to play Division I football at the University of Oregon. He'll be done with the overzealous recruiters and overvauled comebines and ready for college. Talmadge is looking forward to campus life and being apart of the Oregon program.

Known as “The Blur” or simply "Tal", Jackson has already been immortalized with a highlight reel on Youtube, reminiscent of Reggie Bush’s now famous highlight tape. Reggie Bush's tape has become a popular pick on Youtube and with success at the next level Jackson's tape will be sought after in the same way.

This was a great experience for the humble star, who realized he had Pac-10 potential when his coach Tom Leach arrived at Chaparral. Prior to Leach's arrival at Chaparral, Jackson's top two suitors were Colorado St. and UTEP.

Tal is ready to work hard at Oregon. He expects to play as a true freshman and is ready to enroll in classes as soon as possible and is thinking about majoring in business or sports management. He wants to earn a starting spot in the defensive backfield, but he knows that will take a lot of hard work.

Although he’s nicknamed “The Blur,” his time in the 40-yard dash was a 4.5 which isn't considered very fast. While the combine aspect of recruiting can be frustrating, it wasn't Tal's least favorite part of recruiting. His least favorite part was the over aggressive coaches who would even show up at his school. He blames being overlooked by closer Pac-10 schools on coming from an area not known for producing football stars.

Thanks to Coach Leach, he said, Jackson was able to score a scholarship to Oregon over smaller schools who were recruiting him like UTEP and Colorado St.

Jackson was very about the college coaching carousel and the big money in Division I sports. Even though millions of dollars are involved, he feels like the experience alone is worth it. Tal believes that if you do your job on the field, the money will come.

As for his coach, Mike Bellotti, Jackson believes that Bellotti is committed to the program and the university and doesn’t see him leaving. As a true freshman, Jackson is ready to take the Pac-10 by storm next year. He hopes to take out his opponents, especially USC and UCLA, in a blur.

Check out The Blur in action.