On the Plains with Sam Jackson V: Running and sewing seams

AUBURN, Ala. – Senior transfer Sam Jackson V was only 4 years old when his parents put him in youth football in the west side of Chicago. The Jokers might’ve been his first jersey, but his success on the gridiron was certainly no laughing matter. 

A journey that’s taken Jackson all around the country, featuring position changes and numerous triumphs over adversity, it has landed the receiver on the Plains, alongside one of his best and oldest friends, quarterback Payton Thorne. 

“During my sophomore year, I ended up transferring to Naperville Central High School,” explained Jackson. “Because one of my best friends, Jayden Reed, had moved to the suburbs. His dad had told my dad it was a great opportunity for him. We ended up moving to Naperville, but I didn’t get to play quarterback because of Payton.”

Since his days with the Jokers, all Jackson had known was quarterback, right up through his freshman year of high school. However, Jackson knew he had something special with Thorne from day one. 

“As soon as I met Payton, we just clicked instantly,” Jackson said. “It was almost like he was like a brother to me. His family took me in after every single game and our sophomore year, I stayed at his house every Friday night. If we were playing away, we would go to our opponent’s field and throw. Even outside the field, we had a great relationship. We did everything together.”

A natural athlete and unwavering teammate, Jackson just wanted to do whatever would help the Redhawks be successful.

“I just told the head coach, I’m a team player and I’ll play receiver this year to play quarterback next year,” said Jackson. “And honestly, I wasn’t expecting to be as good as I was. I never trained for receiver before.”

Fifty catches, 900 yards and 15 touchdowns later, Jackson was receiving college offers at both receiver and quarterback. 

He eventually landed at TCU and then Cal. Ultimately, the quarterback position didn’t feel like the right fit. Needing a sounding board, Jackson got on the phone to reach out to Thorne for some quality advice. 

“I wasn’t thinking about coming to play with Payton,” Jackson said. “I was just telling him this quarterback thing wasn’t working out. And he was like, ‘Do you want to come to Auburn?’ I really hadn’t given it much thought."

In stepped head coach Hugh Freeze and wide receivers coach Marcus Davis. Laying it all out and making him feel like a part of a unique and special family, Jackson’s choice was made a whole lot easier.

“During the recruiting process, people are going to tell you how it is, but Auburn is actually for real,” Jackson said. “Talking with Coach Freeze, everything was upfront and honest. I had to sell myself, but I just told him I’m a hard worker and I’m ready to do whatever it takes.

“When he told me they were going to take that chance, that meant everything to me because you don’t really get those opportunities, especially at Auburn and in the SEC.”

Jackson steps into a wide receiver room that’s already grabbing national attention. It’s a group bolstered with veterans and star-studded talent, and Jackson can’t help but feel excitement about the possibilities on the table in the fall. 

“Obviously, Cam Coleman is a specimen,” Jackson said. “But you also have guys like Robert Lewis and KeAndre [Lambert-Smith], who are both vets. Then you have guys from last year like Camden [Brown] and Caleb [Burton III] and it’s just dynamic. 

“We’re becoming a tight-knit group and that’s what they want because if we’re the best on the team, we win games by far.”

The diversity is proving a catalyst in the group working together. For Jackson, not only do his years of experience give him something to add to the conversation but also his time behind center reading defenses – it brings a new edge to everyone’s game. 

“The knowledge they have and the knowledge I have come together,” Jackson said. “As a receiver, it’s not just knowing I’ve got a post [route] on this play. You’ve got to know what’s the coverage, what is the defense trying to do, and what’s the down and distance. You have to think like a quarterback too.”

Like puzzle pieces fitting together perfectly, Jackson takes the same mentality when it comes to his role as a leader in the locker room.

“I like to learn who I’m around,” Jackson explained. “You can’t teach everybody the same. Coach Davis can’t coach me and Cam the same way. We’re two different players. Once you learn somebody, you learn how to talk to them when they’re out of their element.

“The leader in the room, though, is definitely Robert Lewis. He does everything right and no one is going to outwork him. He and I just have two different ways of leading.”

Jackson points to his relationship with Auburn freshman Cam Coleman as to where he fits the development of Coach Davis’ wide receiver group. 

“He’s a youngin’,” Jackson said. “He hasn’t even turned 18 yet. When you’re talking to a guy like that who just came from being a five-star, he’s so athletic and prolific with the things that he does. The cerebral part of the game is the only thing left for him to develop, and I can help.”

While the excitement percolates, perfect seam routes won’t be the only thing Tiger fans can expect from Jackson on Saturdays in the fall. A noted fashion enthusiast, Jackson has taken his passion into his own hands.

“I love to dress,” noted Jackson. “I’m more of a streetwear guy, though; I’m still learning all the suits and stuff like that. If I’m not doing something with football, I’m probably making clothes and sewing. 

“I started off hand sewing about two or three years ago. I’m not an expert but the little DIYs, I can do. I just got a sewing machine not too long ago, about seven or eight months, and I’ve been making pants and stuff like that.”

Auburn’s first home football game of 2024, Kickoff of the Plains against Alabama A&M, is slated for August 31. Jackson has promised Orange and Blue fans to expect a handmade creation for his first Tiger Walk. 

“You’re going to see some fits for sure, 1,000 percent,” exclaimed Jackson. “I’m going to have to break it down to a couple of people. It’s Auburn, so not a lot of people know about streetwear. They might know about the suits and athleisure, but I’ll break it down on Instagram when it comes out.”

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It’s safe to say, beyond whatever success his sports career brings Jackson, he has even more eclectic ideas for life after football. 

“Fashion is my escape from football,” Jackson said. “Don’t get me wrong, football is my escape from everything. But whenever football gets a lot going on, I have something else to lean on. 

“You look good, you feel good, you know? I take that really seriously anywhere I go. I’m going to have something on. It might be a whole fit, it might be a piece or a shoe, but it’s going to be something.”

Until then, Jackson continues to work on football and towards his degree in sociology with plans to graduate in December. Since his arrival on the Plains in January, Jackson has felt right at home at Auburn. 

“This is my third school and I’ve had different experiences,” Jackson said. “Sometimes it doesn’t live up to what it’s supposed to be and what they tell you. Since I’ve been here, it’s been amazing. Everywhere in town, people know any player on the team. There’s just so much love outside of it.”