On The Plains with Jackson Barkley: ‘All in God’s plan’

AUBURN, Ala. – Quarterback Jackson Barkley concludes his football career where his love for the game first began – with the Auburn Tigers. 

“I’ve been coming to Auburn games since I was 3, so I always had a love for Auburn and always wanted to come here for college,” Barkley explained. “And I’ve had two sisters who went through Auburn, Maddie and Jenna. Jenna was a trainer for the football team.”

Barkley’s own football career could have ended as the team captain at Pope High in Marietta, Georgia, but he felt a nudge to do something more. 

“After high school ball was over, I didn’t really feel like it was over for me – there was always something more there,” he recalls. “After a lot of prayer and thought, I saw signs from God to keep going, so I continued to pursue it. Ultimately that led to meeting with Coach (Hugh) Freeze and getting a shot as a walk-on and it all worked out. I feel like it’s all in God’s plan. 

“I’ve gained a lot from football. The discipline aspect is huge. Being in college – although everyone says it’s the best years of your life – it’s a lot of work. And being a collegiate athlete, it’s a lot more work. 

“Having the discipline to get your schoolwork done, to get to meetings and workouts on time, and also being able to make time for friends has been so important. And I’ve learned to take time to make memories throughout the whole process.”

Barkley has used that discipline to excel in the classroom, where he has earned a spot on the SEC Academic Honor Roll and membership in Chi Alpha Sigma national student-athlete honorary while studying in the Harbert College of Business.

“I’m a management major with a minor in organizational leadership,” said Barkley, who is on track to graduate next spring. “I really want to get into the real estate field. There are some family members and family friends that I’m close to back home who are in real estate, maybe the commercial side. What appeals to me about real estate is the growth that it’s had since COVID and you’re not sitting at a desk from 9 to 5 every day. I’m a person who likes to get up and walk around and be out meeting people.” 

There are a number of people Barkley has met to whom he is grateful.

“Of course, God always has the glory in my book,” Barkley said. “I definitely want to thank Coach Freeze for giving me the opportunity to be here, and I want to thank Coach (Jesse) Stone, our quarterback analyst, for being there for me. And certainly, I want to thank my family and my long-time girlfriend Madison Contrucci (an Auburn pre-dental student), who has been there with me and stood by my side. 

“I also want to say thank you especially to our workout coaches because I feel like they’re forgotten at times, but they care about us more than we imagine. I credit a lot of who I’ve become to Coach Dom (Studzinski) and the weight room staff.”

Barkley concludes his days as a Tiger with few regrets. “I never gave up, and I’m proud of that. I left it all out there for God to plan what he wanted to do with it.

“Playing for Auburn, there’s no other word than a dream. Running out in front of 90,000 fans is something that not a lot of people get to experience, and it always makes your hair stand up on your arms. 

“I’ve been to a lot of college towns and there’s no one like the Auburn Family. They’re there for you on gameday, they’re there for you throughout the week, and they’re there for you outside of football. When we talk about us as a team, the fans are included in that because they support us in every aspect of life.”