Jennings Jackson is more than just your average high school student. Some might even say he has the best of both worlds. In addition to succeeding in academics at Ridgeview High School, the junior is also on the varsity weight lifting team and is a stud linebacker on the varsity football team.
Jennings started playing football in the third grade. He was an aggressive kid and wanted to impress his dad, who played college football at the University of Central Florida and Liberty University.
Jennings began his freshman year on the junior varsity team but was called up to varsity later that season. The Panthers finished 9-2, their best record in school history.
Last season, Jennings shined as a full-time starter. He was selected to be a team captain, recorded nearly 100 tackles and was voted Most Valuable Defensive Player. His performance against Palatka stands out most in his mind.
“I was on fire when we played Palatka last year,” he said. “I had about twelve to fifteen tackles and two sacks.”
Jennings was voted team captain again this year and feels his team will be one to watch out for. Their defense has been stout against the run and the offense is playing cohesively. Ridgeview’s school spirit is rising, too; the student section is much thicker these days.
Charlie J. Libretto IV has coached football at Ridgeview for the past six years; the first two were spent as the junior varsity head coach, and the last four as the varsity head coach. Libretto played quarterback for East Carolina University from 1986-89.
“We are very young this year, but play with a lot of heart,” Coach Libretto said. “My favorite thing about coaching is the kids. I have four sons myself and there is nothing better than adding another 80 boys to the family. We have a great group of kids here at Ridgeview.”
Jennings loves the Ridgeview coaching staff. His freshman year, Coach Thomas helped with his footwork and really taught him how to play linebacker. According to Jennings, Coach Libretto has turned everything around and says he is a happy medium between intense and laid back.
All of the hard work and dedication is starting to pay off. Jennings has already drawn interest from coaches at Florida Atlantic University and the University of Alabama-Birmingham. But athletics aren’t his only plan of attack on getting into a good college.
In addition to having a weighted GPA of 4.2, Jennings is in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, the Spanish Honor Society, the National Honor Society, the Beta Club and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). He is also Junior Class Co-Vice President.
Jennings spends about three hours every night studying. His family helped him develop good time management skills at a young age. He is trying to get into college with either his academics or through sports. Clearly, his eggs aren’t all in one basket.
Jennings was invited to attend the Florida Atlantic University and the South Florida Select Football Clinic (SFSFC). While there, he learned from coaches from the nation’s leading academic institutions, including Ivy League and New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) schools. The football coach at Yale University contacted Jennings through e-mail, which was very exciting for him and his family.
“Jennings Jackson comes from a tremendous family,” Coach Libretto said. “He has a great heart, work ethic and a lot of good friends. He’s a leader because he will out work everyone in the room. He also hits like a Mack truck on the football field.”
Jennings has been a long time member of First Baptist Church in Middleburg. He has volunteered at the Athens YMCA Camp in Tallulah Falls, Georgia, and last year he volunteered at an Elite Skills Academy Football Camp. The camp helped younger kids develop their football skills.
“I definitely believe Jennings will play football at the next level,” Coach Libretto said. “He has the body, strength, mind, and the spiritual side covered. He’s a very well-rounded young man.”
Academic Athlete/ North Florida/ October 2014
Jennings Jackson
Ridgeview High School
Jacksonville, FL
JESSICA BABCOCK
Ridgeview Linebacker Can Do It All
