LITTLE ROCK — El Dorado coach Scott Reed spoke about the Wildcats’ outstanding defensive lineman Bijhon Jackson in Friday’s Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
Jackson, 6-2, 325 pounds, 5.1 seconds in the 40-yard dash, is one of the top junior prospects in the state with scholarship offers from Arkansas, Ole Miss and Arkansas State. He was named to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Super Sophomore team.
“He’s explosive for a kid that size,” Reed said. “A lot of kids that size don’t move but he can get off the ball and he has good leverage so it’s good that he’s on our side.”
His quickness of the ball combined with a 360-pound bench press and 350 power clean, Jackson has recorded 23 unassisted tackles, 8 assisted tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 4 quarterback hurries, 5 knockdowns and a forced fumble in nine games this season.
“He just has to continuing to improve his conditioning and strength,” Reed said. “He has a good work ethic and he enjoys the weight room and the offseason.
We need to continue to improve his flexibility, things like the shuttle and running the hoops and things like that.”
One of Jackson’s better games was against Little Rock Central. After reviewing film of the game, Reed said one play in particular caused a Tiger player a good amount of frustration.
“At the end of the play their center was talking with their guard and he had his hands out like ‘What do I do’,” Reed said. “To me, that’s a pretty good complement.”
Jackson has played the season with an ankle injury but Reed, who labels Jackson at about 90 percent, said he hasn’t pulled himself this season because of the injury.
“He’s not a complainer,” Reed said. “He’s not one you have to go over and you have to check on him every series. He just plays.”
Reed sees a bright future ahead for Jackson.
“Some big kids you really worry about you look at them and wonder how sound they are physically,” Reed said. “Bijhon is athletic. He really has good definition in his legs. He’s really long armed and long legged, big hands. When he runs the forty, it’s impressive.”