He is one of the few college football players who have said ‘Thanks, but no thanks,’ to Pete Carroll and the mighty USC Trojans.

He’s been called the most electric man in the game. And we’re calling him a darkhorse candidate to hoist the Heisman Trophy.

Athlon's 2007 Heisman Watch

Jackson, a junior from Long Beach, Calif., excels at his day job as a starting wide receiver for the Golden Bears, but he has made a name for himself while moonlighting as a punt returner on Cal’s special teams. Last season, Jackson earned first-team All-America honors after leading the nation in both punt return average (18.2 yards) and touchdown returns (four). In two years at Cal, he has returned just under 20 percent of his punt returns for scores.

As mentioned, Jackson also shines on offense. Last season, he caught 59 passes for 1,060 yards (18.0 per) and nine touchdowns. Add on the seven receiving touchdowns from his freshman season and the five total punt return touchdowns, and Jackson has an amazing 21 touchdowns in 24 career games at Cal.

California Team Preview

Jackson’s sophomore season included four 100-yard receiving games, including a seven-catch, 114-yard, three-touchdown masterpiece in a Week 2 route over Minnesota. His finest moment, however, came in a difficult late-season upset loss at Arizona. He caught six passes for a career-high 131 yards and one touchdown and totaled 128 yards and another score on three punt returns.

A few early season outings like that in 2007 could vault Jackson to the front of the Heisman Trophy chase.

Why he’ll be holding the hardware: Jackson is one of the most talented players in the nation. He has 4.3 speed, runs precise routes and is without a doubt the most dangerous punt returner in the land. And while he doesn’t play for a traditional national power, Cal is a very solid program expected to contend for a BCS bowl this season.

Why he’ll be left out: Cal boasts the nation’s deepest corps of pass-catchers, with Jackson, fellow wideouts Robert Jordan and Lavelle Hawkins and tight end Craig Stevens. In such a balanced offensive attack with so many options, it’s possible that Jackson will struggle to reach the 1,000-yard mark as a junior. And while he’ll still do his thing on special teams, it might be tough for him to duplicate his gaudy stats from 2006.

Final analysis: Jackson will emerge as a legitimate contender for the Heisman, but a lack of national exposure will prevent him from finishing in the top 5.
 
2006 Stat Line