Tyler Legacy’s Travis Jackson to continue football career at TCU
Published 11:19 am Tuesday, December 12, 2023
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Travis Jackson played for Cathedral School in Natchez, Mississippi, as a freshman, but toward the end of his freshman year, he moved to Tyler with his family.
As a sophomore at Tyler Legacy High School, Jackson had 19 tackles, a sack, four quarterback pressures, a forced fumble and a pass breakup.
As a junior, Jackson had 63 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, nine quarterback pressures, two passes broken up, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
The offers came in for Jackson — Alabama, TCU, Oregon State, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, Missouri, Houston, Bowling Green, Texas Tech, Louisiana Tech, Texas State and Central Michigan.
In April, just a week after receiving that TCU offer, Jackson decided to announce his commitment to the Horned Frogs. On Tuesday, Jackson had a signing ceremony with TCU inside the Tyler Legacy auditorium. Signing Day is officially Dec. 20.
“I’m very excited,” Jackson said. “I get to start a new chapter in my life, mature and get older, have a great time in college, get a free education and play the game I love.
“I picked TCU, it’s close to home and feels like home. There’s a lot of good people around there. It was the only choice for me.”
Jackson is ranked as the No. 29 edge rusher in the country by 247Sports and No. 23 by Rivals, which has Jackson listed as a three-star recruit. The 6-3, 230-pound Jackson finished his senior season with 69 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, four sacks, four quarterback pressures, a pass knockdown, a fumble recovery and a defensive touchdown.
“TCU is getting a steal,” Tyler Legacy head football coach Beau Trahan said. “The kid’s work ethic is like no other. He’s 1,000 miles an hour. When it’s time to work, he works. He’s a man of very few words and lets his play speak for him.
“Travis has been an outstanding member of our Red Raider community and has worked extremely hard for this incredible opportunity. Travis is an exceptional talent, and we look forward to his growth in this next chapter of his career. TCU is not only getting a great football player but also an even better person. Travis loves playing the game. His motor is unmatched by anyone we have coached, and we are excited for Travis and his family. We look forward to watching Travis on Saturday in the years to come.”
Travis thanked God, his mother, his family, his teammates and his coaches.
Jackson joins a TCU program that advanced to the National Championship Game in the 2022 season and went 5-7 this season. The Horned Frogs hired former Boise State head coach Andy Avalos as their new defensive coordinator on Monday.
“I know a little bit,” Jackson said. “I know he runs a 4-2-5 and comes from Boise State. I will learn more about him as time goes on.”
What can TCU fans expect from Jackson?
“Electric plays and fun,” he said. “You’re going to see me have fun, making electric plays with big hits and speed. I’ve got the whole package.”
Jackson said he will probably major in business.