Kaneland’s Jackson Little gets in on the action by ‘playing good and playing fast’ as linebacker/running back
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
His name belies the performances he turns in on the football field as senior linebacker/running back Jackson Little continues to come up big for Kaneland.
But that’s really not surprising. Simply because it’s nothing new.
The 6-foot 1, 210-pounds Little is one of seven seniors who are three-year starters for the Knights.
“It’s amazing how comfortable we all are,” Little said. “But it’s because we have guys who have played together for a long time.”
Little and lineman Jackson Valentini start on both sides of the ball for Kaneland. They are joined on defense by linebackers Rogan O’Neil and Jackson Slifka and lineman Reiss Thompson.
Senior defensive back Griffin Seaton, who started as a sophomore but gave up football last year to focus on track, has returned for his second season as a starter.
That was evident Friday night, even in a disappointing 35-13 setback to Interstate Eight Conference favorite Morris.
“Woulda, coulda, shoulda, right?” said Kaneland coach Mike Thorgesen, who directs the defense.
It was a one-score game late in the third quarter. The Knights (3-1, 0-1) ran 13 more plays and finished with a slight edge in total yards over the Warriors (4-0, 1-0).
A 50-yard punt return for a touchdown by Morris, however, swung the momentum.
“They beat us in special teams and won the fourth quarter,” Thorgesen said.
Little finished with 11 tackles to lead Kaneland for the second straight week after having 10 in a 42-20 win over DeKalb.
“He’s been an outside linebacker all three years,” Thorgesen said. “Jackson had a great sophomore year. He missed three games last year with a fracture in his ankle, but he’s been healthy and playing good and playing fast.”
Little’s role changed against Morros.
“He was all over the field,” Thorgesen said. “We’ve got some things where we move him around. We put him in the middle because teams are going to start running away from him.
“He might have had half the tackles in the first half.”
In some formations, Little had to spy Morris’ dual-threat quarterback.
“I’m like a strong safety in the box there,” Little said.
In a 17-10 win over Lemont in Week 2, Little had eight tackles, an interception and a rushing TD, one of four he has this season. He felt he was quiet in the opener, a 49-7 win over Rock Island.
“It wasn’t my greatest, but I knew I was better than that,” Little said. “Had a great game at Lemont and set the tone and then DeKalb really brought my confidence up.”
It may have started with his return from injury the previous year.
“Sometimes, injuries can set you back,” he said. “But I feel like I came back stronger and hungry, ready to get better.”
He proved it with a strong offseason training regimen to work on improving speed and strength.
“I trained at a facility in St. Charles six times a week, doing speed work for an hour and lifting for an hour, hoping to get stronger and faster,” he said.
He also committed to a scholarship offer from Minnesota Duluth. The NCAA Division II program first contacted him in mid-December and put on a full-court press.
“Everything clicked on my junior day visit,” Little said. “Obviously, I wanted to go D-I, but I didn’t know if I’d get any offers. Sometimes, you don’t have the measurables they’re looking for.”
Helping sell it? His family is from the state.
“I have grandparents and cousins who live in Minnesota,” he said.
His focus may be defense, but as one of a trio of running backs, Little does damage for Kaneland.
He’s also the team’s punter.
“We can do anything with all three backs,” Thorgesen said. “Jackson comes in if we need some tough yards. He takes some Wildcat snaps, too. He’s kind of a battering ram.
“And just what you want in a senior leader.”
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos