Blue Devil duo to play college ball

Blue Devil duo to play college ball

Jackson, Smith find right fits

WM School District When asked what his suitcases will contain when he packs for college in the fall, West Memphis senior football player Jabriel Jackson said, 'About 20 pounds worth of warm clothing.'

He'll need that, and possibly more.

Jackson signed a scholarship to play at the North Dakota College of Science. He teamed with Blue Devil senior lineman Alex Smith Wednesday for a signing celebration. Smith inked with Bacone Junior College in Muskogee, OK.

Jackson, a two-year starter on the defensive line, was possibly head coach Billy Elmore's most physical player on defense other than Courtney Pollard, a Northwest Mississippi Junior College signee.

Smith anchored the Blue Devil offensive line in 2015.

The cold weather awaits Jackson, for sure.

'They say it gets 50 below zero there at times,' said Jackson. 'I don't think it'll bother me, although I've never played football in anything colder than 25 degrees.'

Jackson said he wants to major in film drama, and possibly become a film director.

The coaches at North Dakota say he'll play on the defensive line or possibly some linebacker.

'They want to take a look at me at defensive end or possibly outside linebacker, but if I get any bigger they may move me to interior line,' Jackson stated.

Smith said he chose Bacone because of the opportunity to play immediately.

'They'll get a good look at me this summer, but I think I've got a good chance to play right away,' he said. 'I'm a little short (in stature), so I might have to play some center.'

Smith said he wants to major in sports management.

Elmore said both of his former players have a chance to excel at the next level.

'There's no question they both can play at the next level,' said Elmore. 'It was just a question of matching them up with the right schools. It took them both a little longer than others, but there were other options they were weighing out. I think they both made the right decisions.'

By Billy Woods