A lot can change in just one year. Take Kansas State’s junior running back, Joe Jackson. This time last year, he was pushing himself through tough spring workouts, eager to make a name for himself. As a freshman, he had a decent start, rushing for 277 yards, but he wanted more. Jackson’s hard work paid off; he became an All-Big 12 Third Team player with a standout season of 911 rushing yards and eight touchdowns, averaging 75.9 yards per game.
Jackson downplays his success. “It was always my goal,” he says. “I believed I could do it. My confidence just kept growing.” Standing at 6 feet and weighing 207 pounds, this humble player from Haines City, Florida, is ready for more in 2026. With a new head coach in Collin Klein and new running backs coach Cory Patterson, Jackson is keen to lead the team, even as new transfer players join the mix.
Reunited with Klein, who recruited him in 2023, Jackson is ready to finish what he started. “I love Kansas State. We have so much unfinished business,” he says. Reflecting on his high school days, where he rushed for an impressive 1,143 yards and 20 touchdowns in his senior season, Jackson knows he’s capable of greatness.
In fact, last November, he set a record with 293 rushing yards in a single game against Utah, breaking a 21-year-old mark. These achievements have positioned Jackson as one of K-State’s key players, ranking seventh all-time with 1,139 rushing yards in just 24 games.
Klein, now the head coach, believes in Jackson’s abilities. “We probably have one of the best offenses for running backs in the country,” he says. Jackson appreciates this praise. “His play-calling can bring out the best in everyone, including receivers and tight ends,” he adds.
As Jackson looks to build on last season, he acknowledges areas for improvement. “It’s all about patience and making the small adjustments,” he explains. With guidance from coach Patterson, who has a track record of developing players like Illinois’s Chase Brown, Jackson sees a bright future. Patterson is eager to help him maximize his potential. “Joe can carry the load. He’s just getting started,” Patterson says.
Jackson is also focused on his leadership skills. “I’ve been challenged to step up,” he reveals. He emphasizes teamwork, inviting his teammates to push together. This spring, he’s already formed strong bonds with new transfers, Jay Harris and Rodney Fields Jr. “We motivate each other every day,” he notes.
As Kansas State gears up for the 2026 season opener against Nicholls, Jackson feels a palpable excitement. “We can be dangerous,” he asserts. “If we keep improving daily, we’re going to be ready.” With 155 days left until kickoff, the energy at practice is electric.
A lot can happen in a year. Jackson has transformed into a key player for the Wildcats. Now, he may be poised to become one of the nation’s top running backs. The anticipation for what’s next is building fast.
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