Sunday, June 22, 2008

Two-sport recruit visits camp

Big 12 schools interested in Texas high schooler

By Jason Elmquist

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photo

Photo by Nick Krug

Plano West's Jackson Jeffcoat, right, looks to trap Deer Creek junior guard Hayden Wagner at Bill Self's team camp. Jeffcoat and Plano West defeated Deer Creek, 44-17, on Saturday in Allen Fieldhouse.

Being the child of a professional athlete doesn't always translate into being just talented.

But with the genes of two athletes, it's no wonder that Jackson Jeffcoat has the athletic ability to be a two-sport star in basketball and football.

"My dad (Jim Jeffcoat) was a big-time player and he helps me out with a lot of stuff," said Jackson, a Plano (Texas) West Senior High junior-to-be, whose basketball team defeated Deer Creek, 44-17, Saturday in Allen Fieldhouse at Bill Self's team camp. "Also, my mom was really athletic. She did track and tennis in college at Arizona. So both sides I get the genes from. And my dad jokes around that I got most of my genes from my mom."

Jim Jeffcoat was a defensive end in the NFL and was a member of the Dallas Cowboys' back-to-back Super Bowl teams in 1992 and '93.

Although Rivals.com doesn't have official rankings for the class of 2010 yet, at 6-5, 215 pounds, Jackson is predicted to be a top-five football recruit - possibly the No. 1 defensive end - and a top-15 basketball prospect.

So it's no surprise that Jeffcoat is drawing interest from Big 12 Conference football powerhouses Texas, Texas A&M and Oklahoma.

But much like some current NFL players, Jeffcoat said he wanted to continue being a two-sport athlete at the collegiate level.

"Julius Peppers went to North Carolina and he played basketball there," Jeffcoat said. "He's a defensive end for the Carolina Panthers. But it just helps on the footwork a lot. Then with football, the strength just helps you in basketball.

"But I can't drop the shoulder or anything (in basketball). You've got to play right. You have to play it a little more conservative than in football."

With the type of maturity and leadership he exudes - especially with being just a sophomore - it wouldn't be a stretch to see Jeffcoat handling two sports on top of college classes.

"With Jackson coming in and leading with Tyler Melville and Mark Damiani (both seniors-to-be) it's just tremendous right now," Plano West basketball coach Anthony Morgan said. "We're in a tough city, as you know about South Oak Cliff with Darrell Arthur coming out here and our big competition this year will be Duncanville, who's in it every year. The Metroplex is loaded with a lot of talent, so I'm just fortunate to come out and coach a guy like Jackson."

Jeffcoat has a twin sister, Jacqueline - also considered a top basketball prospect at Plano West - who he could lean on at the next level.

"Someone's going to get her, as far as the basketball arena," Morgan said of Jacqueline. "She's as big as (Jackson) and strong and she does a lot on the court."

Though Morgan enjoys Jeffcoat's presence in the low blocks, he said the son of the former Dallas Cowboy had a brighter future on the gridiron.

"He has the build and size to be a really good defensive end or outside linebacker," Morgan said. "He's quick - I think he runs a 4.3, 40. For as big as he is, he just really moves. Then on the court, he's just athletic and strong and he plays like Charles Barkley."

Comments

Nutflush21 (anonymous) says...

4.3 40!! yeah right. Im sure he's fast but no 6'5" 215lb. 16-year-old runs a 4.3

June 22, 2008 at 4:09 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

yates33333 (anonymous) says...

Why worry. This kid will wind up at either Texas or Oklahoma.

June 22, 2008 at 5:41 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

westernkshawk (anonymous) says...

Does anyone remember a similar type guy by the name of Drew Gooden??

June 22, 2008 at 9:14 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

dagger108 (anonymous) says...

Similar to Drew Gooden?

Drew is almost half a foot taller and still even weigh less.

A&M got Bennet a couple years ago, but it is true that it is unlikely that he will venture this far north. Although, the op to step right into PT on the turf, plus join the current NC and perrenial contender could be attractive.

June 22, 2008 at 11:26 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

pmohr13 (anonymous) says...

i was also skeptical about his 4.3 40. the fastest 40 ever i believe is a 4.27 so it's hard for me to believe that a high school junior that big would run a 4.3

June 22, 2008 at 11:41 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

JayViking (anonymous) says...

4.27 is not the fastest, but it's close.

June 22, 2008 at 12:41 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

JJHawq (anonymous) says...

It is widely known that stop watches get slower and tape measures shorter as kids get older...

June 22, 2008 at 1:38 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

JHawk74 (anonymous) says...

Deon Sanders ran a 4.21, 40 yard run in his NFL draft workout.

June 22, 2008 at 4:22 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jaybate (anonymous) says...

Why would Jeffcoat go to Texas, or OU, when he could play on a dual national champion at KU.

Texas and OU are so first Bush Administration. :-)

June 22, 2008 at 6:21 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Ku_fan5 (anonymous) says...

im a junior at liberty high in liberty missouri and we have a reciever on our team who is 6'5 runs a 4.6 and he has offers from florida mu ku and k state so big guys can run but he is also a reciever

June 22, 2008 at 6:32 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

troutsee (anonymous) says...

I hate pessimists.

June 22, 2008 at 9:27 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

garybedore (Gary Bedore) says...

I love optimists.

June 23, 2008 at 12:08 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

stravinsky (anonymous) says...

I love how the implication doesn't have to be even stated.

"Jeffcoat could be a top recruit in two sports... KU happens to have two top rated teams for those two sports... Jayhawks, start your dreaming early..."

June 23, 2008 at 1:41 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

summers (anonymous) says...

I love to hate pessimists...and hate to love optimists!

June 23, 2008 at 3:21 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

milehighhawker (anonymous) says...

The fast 40 ever run was in the 3.9's by a track sprinter. Don't remember his name. In the NFL it was a 4.19 by Deon. And I think Darrell Green ran a 4.22

June 23, 2008 at 11:16 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

daverinoku (anonymous) says...

Coach Mangino, get on it!

June 23, 2008 at 1:26 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jross1972 (Johann Ross) says...

Speaking of pessimism vs. optimism, how will KU fare next season? Hmm...Im nervous, but it's an exciting time as well. The learning curve is going to be steep for the new guys and not much leadership in front of them. I remember Christian Moody and how he kinda tutored the new guys. He got a lot of PT until he trained his replacements. Kleinmann anyone?

On recruiting, I hope XH is still hot on our trail and vice versa. I think we're in a hole on this scholarship situation. The loss of that one schollie really hurts! Especially now when we could bring in the blue chippers on the heels of a championship. What news of other big names interested in KU?

June 23, 2008 at 1:51 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

actorman (anonymous) says...

If there's anything I can't stand, it's intolerance.

And I was going to major in procrastination but I didn't get around to it.

June 23, 2008 at 4:13 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Ku_fan5 (anonymous) says...

xavier henry will likely go to memphis or KU. KU has alot of top recruits who have high interest in them for the class of 09

June 24, 2008 at 7:15 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

panhandle2 (anonymous) says...

Jeffcoat needs to go to Ku; get a ring in both sports.

August 7, 2008 at 9:16 a.m. ( | suggest removal )