June 16, 2009
ORLANDO, Fla. - It has been a busy year for junior wide receiver Richard Jackson (Clermont, Fla.) who transferred from Notre Dame back home to UCF last summer. The East Ridge High School graduate has switched schools, teams, climates, majors and many other things but he has arrived at a great place for himself.
Jackson was granted a one-time transfer exemption waiver for personal hardships by the NCAA in September and it allowed him to make his UCF debut on Sept. 20 at Boston College. Jackson would play in a total of seven games last fall both at wide receiver and on special teams. He caught a pair of passes on the season, one each against BC and UTEP.
On Tuesday, UCFAthletics.com caught up with Jackson for a quick Q&A. Fans who would like to catch Jackson and all of his Knight teammates in action for seven exciting home games this fall can get their season tickets today either by calling 407-823-1000 or here online at UCFAthletics.com.
What was it like for you one year ago?
"I was missing being at home and with my daughter every day. I wasn't sad but I was missing a whole lot. I was questioning whether I should stay up there or trying to come back home somewhere. I was tossing and turning at night trying to figure that out."
How are things now?
"A lot better. I can see my daughter. I can see my family. I'm at peace with my decision. I'm really happy with my decision to come back home. I can't describe it. Now I see my daughter on a daily basis and my family. It's invaluable. It's hard to describe."
How was the transition on the field and off?
"Football-wise it was hard because we were learning new plays every week since they change for each opponent. I was just trying to contribute anyway I could. As far as academics, there are 42,000 more students here so I had to get used to the bigger class sizes. There was less one-on-one with my teachers and professors. I had to get used to the big auditoriums. Overall, I'd say it was a smooth transition."
How have you settled in academically?
"All of my classes transferred over and now I'm doing the criminal justice route. I've always wanted to do criminal justice so it's my major. I enjoy it a lot. I was a history major up there but now I can go in the direction of criminal justice. It couldn't have happened any better."
How has the football been this spring and summer?
"Spring was a time to pick the new offense up. We were all on an equal playing field learning it. I was also more familiar with the other guys since I had been here for a season. I wasn't the new guy anymore. Picking up the plays wasn't too hard because I put my time in studying."
It is your third offense in three years, does the process of learning the other two help you learn this one any quicker?
"Up north, it was more of a pro system and they emphasized more concepts. When I came down here, I wasn't just looking at my position. I was able from experience to look at the whole offense and pick up on what was going on. That helped because instead of just my position, I can see all of it and how it works together."
What do you think of the new offensive system?
"I like it a lot. It's going to be exciting to play in."
What are your goals for this year?
"I'd like to contribute a lot more to help the team win and turn around last season. We want to make sure everyone knows that last season won't happen again this season."