Action Jackson: Tyler Legacy defensive end Travis Jackson starts season strong

Published 3:34 pm Wednesday, August 31, 2022

Before the 2021 season, the Tyler Legacy Red Raiders had two defensive linemen come to them from another state — Jordan Renaud and Travis Jackson.

Renaud, who played at Palmetto High School in Florida before moving to Lewisville, came with a lot of fanfare — being a highly rated recruit that is set to pick between Alabama and Oklahoma in the next month.

Jackson, who played at Cathedral School in Natchez, Mississippi, before moving to Tyler from Louisiana, wasn’t a known commodity.

But now, in his second season with the Red Raiders, Jackson is trying to change that.

Jackson started his junior season with nine tackles, two tackles for loss, and a pass breakup in the Red Raiders’ 31-23 loss to Lufkin on Aug. 26 at Christus Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium. For his efforts, Jackson was chosen as Legacy’s Defensive MVP for Week 1.

In Jackson’s first season with the Red Raiders, he finished with 19 tackles, one sack, four quarterback pressures, one pass breakup and one forced fumble.

“It’s remarkable,” Willis said of Jackson’s growth as a player. “That’s the best way to describe it. When he got here as a freshman, he really wasn’t a great mover and really wasn’t very strong. He’s worked incredibly hard to get his body in great shape. A good example of that is he was 231 when we started the season last year, and he’s 220 now, so he’s really trimmed down. He’s got a great motor and fantastic football work.

“Playing opposite of Jordan, he’s going to have a lot of opportunities, because Jordan is going to have a lot of attention from other teams. I think Travis is a really good player. He’s a guy who is an emergency guy for us on offense too, so he’s learned both the right tackle position and also the defensive end position, but clearly we want to keep him on the field on defense, because that’s where he’s a difference maker.”

Jackson is getting set for his second Rose City Rivalry game when the Red Raiders take on crosstown rival Tyler at 7 p.m. Friday at Christus Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium.

“This is the biggest game by far in Tyler this year,” Jackson said. “I’m looking forward to it. I have to do my best, play hard and play physical.

“To be honest, I wasn’t ready for the big stage last year. It was bigger than I thought it would be. But this time, I’m ready to go.”

Also earning MVP honors for the Red Raiders in Week 1 were Luke Wolf (Offense), Christian Baxter (Special Teams) and Brooks Gallagher (Code Red).

Wolf was 11 of 25 passing for 132 yards with a touchdown and an interception, and he had 14 carries for 83 yards. Baxter made a 47-yard field goal, had four kickoffs for an average of 33 yards with a long of 56 yards, four punts for an average of 38.5 yards with a long of 54 yards. He also made both of his extra-point attempts. Gallagher finished with a team-high 13 tackles.

Junior varsity MVPs were Aumaryion Thompson (offense), Brayden Brown (defense) and August Williford (special teams).

Freshmen MVPs were Ethan Brown (Red Team offense), Luke Allen (Red Team defense), De’Je’Un Owens (Red Team special teams), Rodney Burnley (White Team offense) and Jakylan Green (White Team defense).

Scout Team Players of the Week were A’Mauryion Thompson (offense) and Brayden Brown (defense).