Since stepping onto the gridiron and into the local spotlight as a freshman at nearby Allendale High School, Hersey Jackson knew he wanted to play football for Grand Valley State University.

Fortunate in some ways and unfortunate in others, Jackson’s path to playing in Lubbers Stadium has been anything but typical.

“My whole freshman year (of high school) I was set on coming here,” said Jackson, a redshirt freshman running back. “But then, my coach told me, he said it would probably be better off just to keep my options open and see what’s going on.”

A four-year varsity starter at Allendale, Jackson racked up 1,004 rushing yards as a freshman and totaled 1,705 yards and 1,370 yards in his sophomore and junior seasons, respectively. Entering his senior year, Scout.com ranked Jackson as the No. 58 high school running back in the country.

Jackson’s performance, 6-foot-1, 215-pound frame and football pedigree – his uncle Robert Jackson played defensive back for the NFL’s Cincinnati Bengals from 1981-89 – caught the eye of many college coaches at Division I schools, including former GVSU head coach Brian Kelly at the University of Cincinnati.

Only two games into his senior season, however, disaster struck as Jackson suffered a season-ending Achilles injury. Cincinnati, where Jackson had verbally committed to attend, retracted its earlier offer and its interest, as did the other Division I programs that had coveted the running back.

With the injury, the Lakers stepped back into the spotlight as the forerunner for Jackson’s services, and the Scout.com two-star tailback became one of the highlights of GVSU’s 2009 recruiting class.

“Sometimes those guys (at the Division I level) get scared of those injuries,” said GVSU head coach Matt Mitchell. “For us, as long as we get favorable reports back from doctors, those sometimes can be difference-maker guys for us, guys who are injured.”

Jackson, who sits third on GVSU’s depth chart behind senior Justin Sherrod and sophomore Norman Shuford, has displayed pieces of the talent this season that attracted Division I coaches to him in high school. The Offensive Scout Team Player of the Year in 2009 saw extended playing time against the University of Findlay on Sept. 25 and Ferris State University last weekend. He has 121 yards rushing on 27 carries in six games of action.

“He ran extremely hard, and everyone can see how physical and fast he is,” Mitchell said. “I definitely think you saw flashes of what his ability (can do) – the combination of the size and the speed. What he needs is some experience and some seasoning, not only in the scheme of our offense, but also when things are going full speed.”

After spending almost two seasons away from game action – missing eight contests during his senior year of high school and all of 2009 as a redshirt – Jackson is a work-in-progress, Mitchell said.

“It’s a new system – it’s a new everything for Hersey,” he said. “He’s developing and he’s growing. If he sticks with it – he has a great attitude and he’s got a good work ethic – if he sticks with it on the field and off the field, I have no doubt that he will continue to improve. But, he’s still got a little ways to go.”

Although the Achilles injury took away a chance to play Division I football, Jackson said he will make the most of the opportunity to play football for GVSU and do everything possible to help the team.

“It’s been kind of difficult, but I got my chance,” he said. “I didn’t know if I would actually feel comfortable at other schools because I’m so used to living in Allendale. This is hometown. This is pretty much my favorite area to be at.”

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