Retro
June 6th, 2005, 11:30 AM
Ex-Arkansas linebacker leaves SEC for Grambling
Associated Press
College Football News Wire
GRAMBLING, La. -- Once Lucas Jackson decided he did not want to play nose guard or defensive end, he also decided he didn't want to play at Arkansas any more.
After four years at Arkansas, the former West Monroe High School star headed home and enrolled at Grambling State. Jackson will play for Grambling this fall.
Razorbacks coach Houston Nutt's decision to move Jackson from linebacker to nose guard and defensive end helped the Tigers beef up their defense, new Grambling coach Melvin Spears said.
"He wants to be a linebacker, and they had a him as a D-lineman," Spears said.
Jackson, who couldn't be reached for comment, is not as bulky as the 258 pounds Arkansas had him listed at.
"He's lost about 40 pounds since then," he said. "They were trying to get his weight up to play on the line."
Spears hasn't decided which slot Jackson will compete for in the linebacker corps.
"Our linebackers are dual kind of guys, anyway," said Spears. "Most of them can run yet are big enough to play anywhere."
Jackson is the third Division I-A player to transfer to the traditionally black school this offseason, the second from the Southeastern Conference. Mississippi State's Donovan Davis is expected to bolster the offensive line.
Associated Press
College Football News Wire
GRAMBLING, La. -- Once Lucas Jackson decided he did not want to play nose guard or defensive end, he also decided he didn't want to play at Arkansas any more.
After four years at Arkansas, the former West Monroe High School star headed home and enrolled at Grambling State. Jackson will play for Grambling this fall.
Razorbacks coach Houston Nutt's decision to move Jackson from linebacker to nose guard and defensive end helped the Tigers beef up their defense, new Grambling coach Melvin Spears said.
"He wants to be a linebacker, and they had a him as a D-lineman," Spears said.
Jackson, who couldn't be reached for comment, is not as bulky as the 258 pounds Arkansas had him listed at.
"He's lost about 40 pounds since then," he said. "They were trying to get his weight up to play on the line."
Spears hasn't decided which slot Jackson will compete for in the linebacker corps.
"Our linebackers are dual kind of guys, anyway," said Spears. "Most of them can run yet are big enough to play anywhere."
Jackson is the third Division I-A player to transfer to the traditionally black school this offseason, the second from the Southeastern Conference. Mississippi State's Donovan Davis is expected to bolster the offensive line.