Ty Jackson waited for an opportunity that never arrived as quickly as he wanted, but the Florida linebacker refused to let impatience derail him.
A blocked punt against South Carolina helped Jackson earn an expanded defensive role, and his snaps continued climbing through games against Texas, Georgia and Oklahoma. His instructions have remained uncomplicated as the responsibility has grown: communicate, run and hit.
Jackson discussed learning from Brandon Spikes and Myles Graham, overcoming a high school injury, trusting Florida’s developmental plan and staying hungry after breaking into the rotation.
Here’s everything Jackson had to say.
What development helped you earn a regular role in Florida’s defense?
I would mainly say the coaches staying on me in the meeting room, telling me to remain consistent in everything
I do. When my opportunity came, I had to make the most of it.
What is your relationship with Brandon Spikes?
We talk very frequently. We’re good friends, for sure. He wants me to become the best I can be. He pushes me to be the best.
What parts of Spikes’ game have you tried to incorporate?
His style of play. He mainly wants me to play freely. That’s the biggest thing — play free.
What is your mentality on the field?
Talk, run and hit. My coach says those are the main three things: talk, run and hit.
How has Myles Graham helped you?
Myles and all the older guys ahead of me in the linebacker room make sure I’m doing well on and off the field. They try to keep me sharp.
How did the injury during your senior year of high school affect your development?
It taught me to push through adversity and not get down on myself. I had to keep pushing through.
How did the defense evaluate Oklahoma’s 20-play scoring drive?
It was mainly about calling attention to the details, fixing what we can fix and pushing through it.
What happened on your blocked punt against South Carolina?
I had been receiving repetitions in practice, so I had to give everything I had when I got onto the field. I was going for both the blocker and the ball. I was trying to push him into the block because I knew he was in the way. I had never done that before in a game or practice.
What did it mean when Sumrall highlighted the blocked punt during a team meeting?
It meant I needed to remain consistent and not let that become the only time he singled me out. Hopefully, it also uplifted everybody else in the room.
How did you approach the increased opportunity that followed?
Stay hungry and don’t become complacent.
What has it been like waiting for your opportunity after arriving as a highly rated recruit?
I would mainly say it was about trusting the process. Even though people said those things about my high school film, I still had to prove myself and show that I could become the best.
It’s definitely hard when you don’t understand why you’re in the position you’re in. But when you remain patient and trust what the coaches are telling you, you begin to understand it.
Who helped you maintain perspective while you waited?
My coaches kept me composed. My teammates in the linebacker room and the locker room kept me humble.
Did the coaching change make that waiting process more difficult?
Yeah, but that’s part of the process. That’s how the business works.
What is the team’s approach to its final three games?
We’re focused on going 1-0 every week and being where our feet are.
What is your relationship with South Florida players such as Ben Hanks III and Byron Louis?
We weren’t teammates, but we grew up around the same area. They’re great players.
What has Greg Gasparato done for your development?
He has helped my game a lot. He stays on me and has been patient with me. He helps me all around, on and off the field.
What is it like playing beside Graham?
He’s a good vocal leader who makes sure I’m good in everything I do. His vocal leadership is rubbing off on me. He’s helping me become more vocal and assist the defense, defensive line and defensive backs.
What does Kentucky present?
We hadn’t gone over Kentucky yet at that point. But Coach says every game is a big game, so we’re going to attack Kentucky the way we attack every other team.
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Ty Jackson's patience pays off in Florida linebacker rotation
