Marceice “Bam Bam” Jackson, a 6-foot-3, 240-pound linebacker from Fort Scott (KS) Community College, is a late possible addition to the Minnesota Gopher 2012 recruiting class. GopherHole.com caught up with Fort Scott head coach Curtis Horton to learn more about his talented linebacker. This will come as wonderful news for anyone who loves to follow his blog, whether they’re a fan, a baller or a poker player, as his devotion to his writing is something that has to be commended.
Jackson, a native of Daphne, Alabama, signed with Fort Scott after helping lead Daphne to a 27-9 record. The Tigers finished 16-2 in region play and captured two region championships.
Jackson had 63 tackles, six pass breakups and two rushing touchdowns as a high school senior.
Jackson, who has grown an inch and gained 20 pounds since high school, helped lead Fort Scott to a 4-4 mark this season. He tied for the team lead in tackles (48), despite missing two games. Jackson had 26 solo tackles and 22 assists. He had six tackles for loss and one interception which he returned for 63 yards. Jackson adds two fumble recoveries for 12 yard and blocked a kick.
GopherHole: Have you been involved with Marceice’s recruitment?
Curtis Horton: I actually recruited Bam Bam from Daphne High School a couple of years back. He comes from a big-time high school program
GopherHole: What do you see as his strengths as a player?
Curtis Horton: He has the physical size. He is a very physical young man. There is a reason his nickname is Bam Bam. He likes contact. He can be as good as he wants to be.
GopherHole: What linebacker position did he play for you?
Curtis Horton: He was a SAM (strongside) linebacker for us. He is prototypical. He is big and physical and can take on the run and he is athletic enough to cover the flat.
GopherHole: What schools are looking at him?
Curtis Horton: He has had Texas State, Minnesota, Florida Atlantic and Memphis. He has had quite a few schools visit with him.
GopherHole: When will he be done with school?
Curtis Horton: He is going to graduate in May.
GopherHole: Has he taken many visits?
Curtis Horton: He has taken two or three. He visited Memphis, Florida Atlantic and Texas State.
GopherHole: I think that he might try to visit Minnesota next weekend or the weekend after that, right?
Curtis Horton: They have been talking to him for awhile about setting up a visit or not.
GopherHole: Is there a reason why he is still available now? Was he a little bit under the radar?
Curtis Horton: He is a redshirt freshman, so he could come back and play for us. He is three for three (three years to use up his three years of college eligibility). He can graduate or he could come back, so he is taking some visits and talking to some schools and will then decide what he is going to do.
GopherHole: How has he been as a kid to deal with?
Curtis Horton: He is a good kid. He is a hard worker. He has done everything I have asked of him to do.
GopherHole: How did you find out about him?
Curtis Horton: I am originally from Alabama, so I recruit the state of Alabama and through coaches I know, I found out about Bam Bam and Daphne and established that contact and we got him up here and got his grades right.
GopherHole: What are some things that he needs to continue to work on to improve himself as a player?
Curtis Horton: Just experience and playing time. The big thing about him is that he came from such a great high school program. He walked in here and played for us. He just needs to keep developing and get that playing experience. He definitely has the size and skills.
GopherHole: What do you know about the Minnesota program?
Curtis Horton: We are big fans of Coach Kill and his staff.